Proctorville Ceremony Remembers September 11th

By Benita Heath

The Tribune (published Saturday, September 12, 2009)
Photo by Jessica St. James
Virgil Pemberton with VFW Post 6878, of Proctorville, stands at attention.

PROCTORVILLE — Nick Mannon was only 8-years-old when the Twin Towers in Manhattan crashed to the ground on Sept. 11, 2001, so his memories of that day are sparse. But he was one of about 20 Fairland High School band members who volunteered to remember that tragedy in a special ceremony Friday morning. “This is to commemorate the awful deed of 2001 by remembering the lives of those lost,” Mannon, a Fairland High junior, said.

Hosted by the Proctorville branch of WesBanco, the morning ceremony was marked with ritual and tributes from those participating. The ceremony began with the Proctorville VFW Post 6878 honor guard standing at attention as Robert Fulton sang a medley of patriotic ballads extolling the heroism of both soldiers and their families alike.

Nearby sat Amy Schenewark of Proctorville with her 2-year-old son, Miller. As the honor guard began the slow ascent of the American flag to the accompaniment of Fulton singing the National Anthem, she quickly jumped to her feet, placing her hand over her heart. “I think we shouldn’t forget what happened,” she said. “Whether it is the people who died or the soldiers who sacrificed for our country.”

It was a great way for Miller and I to spend the morning. Although neither one of us cared for the hotdogs, Ranger surely enjoyed lunch!