“There are people here in Suwanee that have a personal connection to that day. I have learned of some of these people after the fact. It really felt good and was an honor and privilege to be part of the day that meant so much to so many people.”
The ceremony took place around the Remembrance Public Art piece in the park, opening with a medley of patriotic songs and the National Anthem from the Sounds of Suwanee chorus, followed by a presentation of colors by the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services Honor Guard and an invocation from 12 Stone Church Sugarloaf Campus Pastor, Scott Mawdesley. Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette, State Representative Brooks Coleman, and Suwanee Chief of Police Mike Jones recognized and honored members of the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services and Suwanee Police Department.
The Sons of the American Revolution were also present, and recognized Gwinnett County Firefighter, Lieutenant Sean Ballisty, and Suwanee Police Officer Jeff Dickerson with medals of appreciation. Following the ceremony, Hyer met two sisters that were 9/11 survivors and had been in the World Trade Center that day. The women were police officers for the Port Authority. She told them that, “Our #1 goal here today is to honor you and your friends, especially those that didn’t walk away and I hope we did that.” The women confirmed, “You did. We couldn’t be at home with our people there but were so glad we could be here.”
people.”
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), is a 125 year-old national nonpolitical service organization with 111 chapters in Georgia. Their motto is “God, home and country,” and they focus on historic preservation, education and patriotism. The Suwanee Creek Chapter turned five years old in October and currently has 53 members. Some of their service projects have included providing boxed meals at Thanksgiving and canned goods year round for the North Gwinnett Co-op, sponsoring seniors at Christmas, honoring and commemorating men and women that served our country, sending care packages to military service personnel, cleaning up the cemetery and some of the headstones at Suwanee Methodist Church, teaching proper flag etiquette, and more. They are also involved with a national program called TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.) During the month of November look for baskets and displays of toy soldiers put out by DAR. People are encouraged to take one of the toy soldiers as a reminder to pray for our service men and women, as well as their families. Baskets will be placed in businesses throughout Gwinnett County, including one in Ippolito’s in Suwanee Town Center Park.
The organization is open to women 18 years old and up who can prove lineal descent to someone who served the American colonists during the revolutionary war. They have a network of people to help with the application process. If you are interested in joining or would like more information on DAR or the Suwanee Creek Chapter, email [email protected] or visit dar.org.
, worked to create an event to remember and honor those that lost their lives on 9/11, those who served our country and citizens throughout the aftermath of the attacks as well as those that help protect us today.){kind=link}