September 11 Remembered in Lilburn

The city of Lilburn took the time Tuesday to remember the victims and the heroes during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in America.

About 70 people attended the special commemoration at Lilburn City Park, where officials also unveiled a piece of steel recovered from the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York, N.Y.

The mayor began the ceremony with opening remarks, there was a presentation of colors by the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department honor guard, and Lilburn Teen Idol Jordan Adam sang "The Star Spangled Banner.

At about 8:46 a.m., attendees held a moment of silence. That was the time the first plane -- American Airlines Flight 11 -- crashed into the north tower. There were 82 people on board.

Then, City Manager Bill Johnsa unveiled the special piece of steel, which will eventually be displayed at the new city hall complex. Police Chief Bruce Hedley placed a bouquet on stage to remember fallen heroes.

In closing Jordan Adam sang a song, "Where Were You," and the mayor made closing remarks.

"In every generation it seems that there is a national event that indelibly sears (in) our minds and emotions for the rest of our lives," he said, followed by an account of President John F. Kennedy's assination and the Challenger explosion. "And, all of us, including the millennial generation, can tell you exactly what we were doing on this morning 11 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

"For over 3,000 families its not just the memory that haunts them, it's the incredible wrenching loss of loved ones. It's really hard to imagine how anyone could perpetrate such a senseless and evil crime against harmless civilians."

At the close of the day's ceremony, three families -- the Pettett, the Siyam and the Rose families -- also honored the Lilburn Police Department with special gift baskets to thank them for their service.

(Editor's Note: Check back for updates to this story, including remarks made by the mayor.)