September 12, 2026 - VFW Post 8904 and emergency responders gathered in remembrance to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States of America.
The gathering was to honor those who lost their lives on that day and the heroic acts of emergency personnel and anyone else who responded to those directly impacted.
Mary Roberts, Post Quartermaster, led the program welcoming all who attended the ceremony on the Center square before the Historic 1885 Shelby County Courthouse. She then introduced Josh Crawford, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, to offer an opening prayer.
The Center Middle School Roughrider band performed the National Anthem followed the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.
Roberts thanked everyone that was present for their attendance on behalf of Post 8904 as they observed the 25th anniversary of Patriot’s Day.
“25 years ago on September 11, 2001, our nation experienced an attack that forever changed our country and the world,” said Roberts. “Nearly 3,000 innocent people were taken from their families, their friends and their communities. They come from different backgrounds and they lived different lives, but on that morning they became a part of the story we share with us today.”
Roberts elaborated on Patriot’s Day representing remembrance of the people who went to the World Trad Center and to the Pentagon to work that morning, as well as the passengers of American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77 and United Airlines Flight 93.
“We remember the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, and other first responders who ran toward danger when others ran away,” said Roberts. “We remember the ordinary Americans who in extraordinary circumstances chose to help a stranger, comfort a neighbor and look out for one another.”
Roberts explained that on the days that followed 9/11, the nation witnessed something powerful as Americans came together. Flags appeared on homes, businesses, and streets across the country. Communities gathered to pray, mourn, and support one another. Strangers reached out to strangers and Americans have discovered that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, we are stronger, when we stand together.
“That spirit of unity is one of the most important things we should remember today,” said Roberts. “The VFW understands more clearly than most that freedom comes with an unspeakably high cost. For nearly 127 years, our members have answered our nation's calling, serving in places far from home so that Americans can live in safety and freedom. And for the generation of service members that follow the attacks of 9/11, that call came with a particular sense of purpose.”
Hundreds of thousands of thousands of thousands of Americans deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world in the years that followed carrying with them the memory of what happened and with a determination to protect the country they loved.
“Patriot Day is not just about looking backward, it is a reminder of who we are and who we can choose to be and the greatest response to hatred is not hatred, it is service,” said Roberts. “It is choosing to help our neighbor, it’s volunteering within our communities, it’s standing beside a veteran who needs assistance. It is teaching the next generation what it means to be an American, and how to put things aside that divide us and instead remember what unites us.”
Roberts shared that to date, Shelby County, Texas, has had three of their sons given to the war on terror that followed the 9/11 attack, and that they are also remembered on September 11. They included Larry E. Polley, Jr., United States Army, was killed in action in Iraq, 22 years ago, January 17, 2004. He was buried with full military honors, in the Carroll Cemetery, in driving rainstorm. Kevin Casey Roberts, United States Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan, 18 years ago, May 7, 2008. Buried with full military honors, and the West Hamilton Cemetery with his wife and children grieving. Corey Bertrand, United States Army, killed in action in Afghanistan 18 years ago. October 14, 2008. He, too, was buried with full military honors in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at the age of 18.
Several representing first responders were offered the opportunity to share some of their thoughts on 9/11 and the everlasting impact. Speaking on behalf of the Center Fire Department was Derrick Lightfoot.
“Today we remember September the 11th, 2001, a day that changed, us forever. As we honor those lost in the World Trade Center attacks. We recall not only tragedy, but also extraordinary courage. We honor the 343 firefighters and the countless first responders, the 72 police officers that gave their lives, the eight EMS personnel that gave all in that time. Heroes who embodied the greatest love by laying down their lives for strangers.
“From the tragedy emerged remarkable unity. You see, division disappeared as we stood together as Americans, bound by compassion and even common purpose. You see, the terrorists hope to break our spirit, and they failed. You see, our resilience, our refusal to be defined by tragedy. It defines who we are today as Americans, that we stand in unity.
“The Bible says that a house divided cannot stand. But I stand here today and tell you that we are stronger today than we ever were. Here in our community. We saw that same spirit at work. You see, neighbors checking on neighbors, local businesses supporting the affected families, even schools helping children to understand what was going on in this community come together as one.
“But you see how we continue to honor these memories through service, through kindness, through building a community is worth what we do every year here today, to remember the sacrifice that was put forth from the men and women that stood in that moment in time. So as I end here today, let me say, let us honor the fallen by how we live. Let us pledge to never forget and not just as words, but as a community, to embody the unity and strength that encourages us from that darkest day. Let us stand united as one and continue to carry the torch as we walk through each and every day.”
Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell remarked that he has been in law enforcement for over 40 years and, like so many, he remembers where he was on September 11, 2001.
“We first heard the report that a plane had hit the first building, and we were beginning to wonder, 'how crazy is that?' So we sat by the radio for about another five minutes, and we heard that another plane had hit the other tower. And it didn't take much to realize that these were no accidents, and that's when everything started,” said Sheriff Corbell. “The next thing we know, the Pentagon's hit, next thing we know, there's an airliner drilled into the ground in Pennsylvania, and we're just trying to get our heads together to find out what is our next move.”
Corbell stated he was on the Texas Highway Patrol at that time when the entire state went on full alert. He said they were ready to respond to Houston, Fort Worth/Dallas, San Antonio, any major metropolitan area in the state of Texas.
“We were still on alert when we found out that George Bush landed at Barksdale Air Force Base from the school he was in in Florida, they were kind of undecided for where they were gonna go, because they had his safety in mind,” said Sheriff Corbell.
Sheriff Corbell reflected on how in response to the attack, and the 3,000 lives lost, anyone that could do so enlisted to help.
“They pulled together, they wanted to do what they could. That like's been mentioned before, the firemen were running to the fight, the police officers were running to the fight,” said Corbell. “They were trying to help people they had never even heard of before. They didn't know their name, it didn't matter, they were trying their best to help them get out of that building. They did the best they could.”
Andrew Williams, Center Police Department Lieutenant, spoke on behalf of the police department and how great Shelby County is, and about its unity.
“Y’all support us. Y'all make us put our boots on every single day and get out on these streets, run into these burning houses and help people in need. We cannot do the job we do without you, and I'm so fortunate to be able to work in a community that shows the support to the first responders that you all show.”
Lt. Williams highlighted the the community’s dedication in support of the men and women who served in the military.
“I just ask that we remember all the lives of the first responders and the military personnel that were lost after the attack at the World Trade Center, the firemen, the police officers, just the ordinary person who wanted to lend a helping hand that day,” said Lt. Williams. “America is strong and we tend to forget that. But I hope that we can all stand together and continue being the greatest nation in the entire world.”
Jesse Griffith with Allegiance Mobile Health EMS spoke representing EMS First Responders.
“I do want to say to the young people, who wasn't around when this happened, I hope that y'all never have to feel the loss or the sorrow of seeing that happen in our country. It was a terrible day,” said Griffith. “For those of us that was here, working or at home watching on television, I hope that you can go back to that day and remember the love and dedication and the pride that you felt for this country and how we stuck together. And I pray that we get more into that, we've seen so much disconnect. We need to come back together and pull it back in, so please remember how you felt that day and help pass it on to someone else.”
Christina Smith and the Center eighth grade band then presented a patriotic selection in recognition of the day.
Derrick Roberts, VFW Post 8904 Commander, placed a memorial wreath upon the Shelby County Veterans Memorial which was then followed by Taps performed by Brady Siglar, Joaquin High School bugler.
In conclusion of the event Leigh Porterfield, Center Mayor Pro Tem, sang “God Bless America.”
