It was a somber Patriots Day in Conroe, on the 24th anniversary of the Remembrance of the tragedy that stunned The Nation on the morning of September 11th, 2001, all those years ago. It was even more sad that the day was marked by the assassination of popular Free Speech advocate and Christian supporter, Charlie Kirk; whose life was taken by a single bullet less than a day before, while at an event in Utah, speaking on issues that he rightfully defended. Chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission and former County Judge, Jimmie C. Edwards, welcomed everyone who attended the ceremony. It was the first event on the new terrace of the Honored Mission National Museum, which overlooks the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park. The new building, Honored Mission Hall, is currently being kitted out with a hopeful opening to the public on Veterans Day in November, or shortly thereafter.
Judge Edwards gave an update on the new improvements to the park about The Gold Star Mothers Memorial and its construction near underway.
“It’s gonna be the largest structure dedicated to Gold Star Mothers in The Country,” said Edwards. “And we are building it right here in Montgomery County.”
There is also going to be a new memorial dedicated to the men who Fought and Died at the Alamo. The men from Montgomery County who perished at the mission in March 1836, will also be honored as well. Additionally, a plaque will be dedicated to The Travis Letter, the famous dispatch from the Alamo ‘To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World,’ penned by William B. Travis, the commander of the Texian forces, on February 24, 1836.
A serenity garden will be installed to give Veterans and their supporters a chance to remember and reflect on their service, as well as relatives to find a chance to find peace amongst the flags and memorials. A six pound cannon will also be installed on the terrace that will be used at ceremonies at the park.
“Right now we don’t know how to shoot it,” said Judge Edwards of the new cannon. “And there are bets on the first one to let off a shot.”
The Judge thanked those able to attend the ceremony, noting the difficulty of the times in which we live. He thanked the commission members, his staff, and volunteers that keep the honored mission going.
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Judge Wayne Mack, presented the invocation. He started out by acknowledging the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, noting his legacy and his enormous devotion to God, not necessarily discussed in his college campus mission to claw back sensibility from the senseless who jousted with him in a battle of wills. Mack had visited with Kirk last month in California for an event.
“This is Holy Ground,” said Judge Mack, speaking of the Veterans Memorial Park. “I always leave here with more than I come with.”
Judge Mack remembered all The Souls lost on September 11, 2001, and the countless thousands who became ill following the downing of the towers. He asked God to strengthen the survivors, and those who have hidden wounds.
Mo Sims, President of Buzzard Industries, and MCVMC Board Member, was the keynote speaker remarking on the night before 9/11, and how it was a day that would be a life changing morning for not just those that were killed or injured that day, but for an entire nation. Sims noted those who would be taking flights, going to work at the World Trade Center and The Pentagon, as well as the firefighters, paramedics, and the police who would be on scene that fateful morning.
“We look back and we think what we know what’s gonna happen,” said Sims. “We think of what we’ve done in the past, but need to think of what we are gonna do in the future.”
Sims went on to encourage us to be kind to our loved ones, and be prepared for life. Conroe Fire Chief Paul Sims then issued a Call to Order Arms, as the CFD Dispatcher presented a Final Call Message to all units on duty. It’s symbolic of the final communications from people aboard the hijacked planes or in the Twin Towers, which were made to loved ones, as well as 911 calls from inside the towers.
The remembrance was closed out by Conroe Fire Fighter, and US Marine Corps Veteran, Brandon Keilers playing Amazing Grace, as the First Responders Flag was lowered at the park. US Army Veteran Cory Strouth then played Taps.