Woodmen of the World Chapter 24 presented a flag to Whitfield County during a ceremony on Sept. 11. On hand were (from left) Mike Gibson, treasurer of Woodmen Chapter 24; Michael Armour, Woodmen field representative; Fire Chief Edward O’Brien, Assistant Chief Danny Roach, Whitfield Emergency Services Director Claude Craig, and Assistant Chief Randy Kittle. They are standing with a painting commemorating 9/11 heroes that was done by Cathy Cooksey of Tunnel Hill, who presented it to Woodmen of the World Chapter 24 several years ago.
photo by Mitch Talley
Since 2002, Woodmen of the World chapters across the country have been dedicating flagpoles and presenting flags, not only to honor the heroes and victims of Sept. 11, 2001, but also the men and women of our armed forces serving in combat.
In addition, these ceremonies pay tribute to the men and women in this community who risk their lives daily to keep us safe – police officers, firefighters, and emergency rescue personnel and other First Responders. They all deserve our thanks and admiration.
As Whitfield County joined the rest of the nation Thursday in observing the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, representatives from Woodmen of the World presented a flag to Whitfield County to be used on the pole at the 911 Center.
“We can think of no more special way to honor these brave men and women than by the sight of the American flag flying proudly,” said Michael Armour, Woodmen of the World field representative. “Patriotism is at the very core of Woodmen of the World – it is the fabric that makes us who we are.”
On hand to receive the flag were Whitfield County Fire Chief Edward O’Brien, Assistant Fire Chiefs Danny Roach and Randy Kittle, and Whitfield Emergency Services Director Claude Craig. Also attending the ceremony, held outside the 911 Center Thursday, was Mike Gibson, treasurer of the local Woodmen Chapter 24.
For more than 120 years, Woodmen of the World has strived to promote family, community, and country. Since 1947, chapters have presented more than 2 million American flags to community-based organizations across the nation, nearly 285,000 American History awards to students in elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and more than 1.8 million American Patriot’s Handbooks to schools, Scouts, and newly naturalized citizens.
“In 2001, we experienced horrors that we never thought could occur in this land of freedom and opportunity,” Mr. Armour said. “Thousands of our citizens and those of other countries lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Hundreds of heroes materialized during and after those attacks, and it is to them, and to those fighting to strengthen our freedom, that we dedicate this ceremony. Abraham Lincoln once said: ‘Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.’”
Mr. Armour noted that on the anniversary of the attacks, “we each remember where we were and what we were doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. We will probably always remember. The events of that day changed our lives forever, making us realize that freedom is a very precious thing, and not to be taken lightly.”
He said it was fitting that the flag presentation was held on Sept. 11. “Our nation’s flag atop the pole serves as a symbol of the enduring spirit of all Americans,” Mr. Armour said. “The words of former President Ronald Reagan, spoken on another occasion, seem just as appropriate today. He said: ‘We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.’ ”
Whitfield County officials expressed thanks to Woodmen of the World for presenting this flag as well as other flags and flagpoles to the county over the past several years.