Manning remembers terrorist attack victims, honors 1st responders
Members of Manning Fire Department, Clarendon County Fire Department, Manning Police Department and Clarendon County Coroner's Office attended Manning's 9/11 Observance Ceremony on Wednesday morning.
More than 75 first responders, including police officers, deputies, firefighters and EMS personnel as well as members of the church and community attended the dinner.
More than 75 first responders, including police officers, deputies, firefighters and EMS personnel as well as members of the church and community attended the dinner.
Manning Mayor Julia Nelson welcomed the attendees to the city's 9/11 Observance Ceremony on Wednesday morning.
Dr. Robert Ridgeway III, a local obstetrician, firefighter and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives representing Clarendon County, reminisced about the events of Sept. 11, 2001 at Manning's 9/11 Observance Ceremony.
MANNING - The City of Manning held a 9/11 Observance Service at 8 a.m. Wednesday while a little farther south in Summerton, St. Matthias Episcopal Church held a 6 p.m. dinner in remembrance of the horrific events of 18 years ago and to honor the heroic deeds of the first responders who come to the aid of residents in Clarendon County.
Dozens of first responders and members of the public attended the 8 a.m. service at the City of Manning's Church Street Gazebo where Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley was the guest speaker.
"The victims of 9/11 woke up that morning not knowing what was going to happen," Baxley said. "People went to work. Firefighters, police officers and EMS were doing their jobs, and none of them knew what was coming. We learned not to take anything for granted. You need to keep right with your family."
Baxley said that "we can pray to God and for our country and have the freedoms that we have" because of the heroism that was witnessed that day.
Baxley said that closer to home, first responders, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel have events almost daily where they put their lives on the line.
"There are events every day of different magnitudes," Baxley added.
More than 75 first responders enjoyed a delicious dinner Wednesday evening that was hosted by Summerton's St. Matthias Episcopal Church.
Firefighters with Manning Fire Department and Clarendon County Fire Department, law enforcement officers with the Manning and Summerton police departments, deputies with Clarendon County Sheriff's Office, personnel from Clarendon County Coroner's Office and local EMS personnel attended the services. Members of the public also attended the services in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to show their support for the folks who work to keep Clarendon County safe and secure.