HC ministers plan major Sept. 11 ceremony, parade

BONIFAY - Did you know that this year’s September 11 anniversary of the terrorist attacks will permanently become a federally-recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance for the first time this year? New legislation passed back in April of this year has set September 11 of each year as a National Day of Service and Remembrance for our nation. Many organizations across this great country will stage events to mark the establishment of this historic observance and pay tribute to the 9/11 victims and those who rose in service in response to the attacks.
 
Holmes County has never officially held an event to honor the 9/11 victims and emergency service professionals that paid the ultimate price of sacrifice. This year, we are planning a spectacular event in conjunction with our firefighters, police and emergency medical services volunteers and professionals throughout the cities and communities of Holmes County.
 
“Our goal is to provide an event that enables us to never ever forget what happened to our country September 11, 2001,” said Chaplain-In-Chief Woody Bollinger of the recently formed Holmes County Firefighters Chaplain Corps. Bolinger continued, “We are looking to provide a venue that revives the spirit of unity, patriotism and compassion that followed the attacks on our country eight years ago.” Bollinger continued to remark at his amazement at the continued response of those that enter into volunteer service in the military and emergency response professions because they were inspired by our countries outpouring of patriotism and unity because of 9/11.
 
Jay Winuk, the brother of 9/11 rescuer Glenn J. Winuk, volunteer firefighter and EMT who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center South Tower commented about the many events being planned across our nation; “The anniversary of 9/11 is always a very personal day of sadness and reflection for me and my family, but it can also be a day when the nation comes together to embrace once more the spirit of compassion that helped our family and the entire 9/11 community see us through the very dark days following the attacks. The anniversary of September 11 is now a national day of service and rightly so, and such a designation not only pays appropriate tribute to those who were lost and those who rose in service, but also provides a constructive and meaningful way forward for our nation.”
 
The County-wide event will pay tribute to our emergency response volunteers and professionals that paid the ultimate price that day. Travis Cook, Captain of Bonifay Fire Department and an EMT, stated that there will be three hundred forty three markers placed on the city streets of Bonifay memorializing the number of firefighters and emergency medical professionals that died that day.
 
There will be a parade of emergency response vehicles through the city starting at 10AM on Friday, September 11. The parade will begin at the elementary school and will continue through town and end at the Ag Center on Hwy. 90. This day will also serve to recognize our active firefighters, police and EMS personnel by providing a luncheon for them at the Ag Center after the parade. The luncheon is being provided by the cooperative efforts of the churches in the Holmes County Ministerial Association.
 
Pastor Charlie Newman, Secretary of the Holmes County Ministerial Association stated that “we are honored to pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much on 9/11 and recognize our current emergency response professionals by coming together in Christian unity on this historic event. “We seek to raise awareness of this new National Day of Service, and are working to promote opportunities for our citizens of Holmes County to remember the fallen by volunteering their time and skills.” Newman continued; “Through volunteering we bring people together, provide hope and the resources for those in need, and build stronger communities and, ultimately, a stronger nation under God.”
 
The newly formed Station 4 is in the process of becoming an official registered member of Fire Corps/Citizen Corps headquartered in Washington DC. This is a volunteer organization, funded by Homeland Security that offers the public a way to be involved with their local fire departments. Three hundred and forty three signs need to made and placed in the ground. If you have wanted to help out your local fire department but not as a fire fighter, this could be your opportunity to show your support. Contact Chaplain-in-Chief Woody Bollinger 547-0911 or 850-541-2415, or Captain Travis Cook, Bonifay FD, at 547-5096 after 5pm.