Paying tribute

9/11 heroes honored at ceremony

By Anne Lautzenheiser
St. Tammany News
Published on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:24 AM CDT

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Firefighters and law enforcement officials from across St. Tammany Parish came together Sunday to honor those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony took place just before the Bayou Jam concert in Heritage Park.

Originally planned for the Sept. 11 anniversary, the event was rescheduled after Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc in the area last month.

Michael Ford of Fire District 1 offers a salute as the colors are posted. (Staff Photo by Anne Lautzenheiser)

It marked the first public gathering at the city’s new 9/11 Memorial, which features a column salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center in New York. The steel beam is one of only 200 pieces to be distributed around the country.

The memorial also features a brick from the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and will soon include bronze statues depicting a firefighter and a police officer as well.

Among the speakers was Slidell Mayor Ben Morris, who commented on the changes in the country since that date.

“We live in some confusing times,” said Morris. “As an old soldier, I’m proud of the U.S. and of all our first responders.”

Also on hand were members of the Slidell Police Department, firefighters from several districts and members of the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office.

The event resonated on a personal level with Slidell City Councilwoman Kim Harbison, who heads up the 9/11 Memorial Committee. Visibly moved as she introduced the first responders who paid tribute to their fallen brethren, Harbison later revealed that her daughter, a Navy corpsman, was deployed to the Middle East that very afternoon.

“She’s serving her country, so this shouldn’t be a sad thing, but what can I say,” said Harbison. “She’s my baby, and she always will be.”

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