GALLERY: San Angelo Commemorates 23rd Anniversary of 9/11 with Memorial Service

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Police and Fire Departments hosted a 9/11 memorial service Wednesday morning at the city’s 9/11 monument near Celebration Bridge, alongside the Concho River.

The event marked the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by the San Angelo Police and Fire Department Honor Guard, with a rendition of the National Anthem by Meagan Hunnicutt and bagpipe music by Christopher Morgan.

San Angelo Police Chaplain Gary Jenkins led the prayer, and Police Chief Travis Griffith recognized honored guests.

During the event, Chief Griffith reflected on the impact of the attacks.

“Twenty-three years ago, the course of this country changed,” he said. “The resolve of this great country was put to the test. Through pain, fear, and suffering, we came together. We overcame it. We all felt how fragile life, safety, and freedom can be."

Griffith noted the sacrifice of first responders, including 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers, eight paramedics, and 55 military personnel who lost their lives that day.

“We owe it to these selfless individuals to continue to serve with honor and integrity,” he said.

Colonel Thomas K. Wilson, Deputy Commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base, served as the keynote speaker.

“Today, we honor the profound impact of September 11, 2001,” Wilson said. “This tragic day tested our nation’s resolve while simultaneously showcasing the incredible power of unity.”

Wilson emphasized the lasting effects of 9/11, noting that the attacks and their aftermath forever changed the world. He also highlighted the resilience of the nation and the strong relationship between Goodfellow Air Force Base and the San Angelo community.

“No other base in the entire Air Force enjoys as many formalized community partnerships as we do here,” Wilson said. “The resilience shown by our country in response to 9/11 taught us what great things can be achieved when we come together.”

San Angelo’s 9/11 monument, one of the few in Texas that includes a piece of steel from Ground Zero, was originally dedicated in 2003. After the artifact was stolen in 2016, the Velez family donated another piece of steel from the World Trade Center, which now serves as the monument’s centerpiece.

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