Article published September 12, 2006

Heroes always in our hearts

RACHEL E. LEONARD, Staff Writer

Spartanburg's memorial to the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, would not be a wordy one, master of ceremonies and local radio personality Bill Drake promised Monday to the hundreds who filed into Gibbs Stadium.

The "sounds and sights" of the evening would do the job, he said. They did.

From columns of military personnel and officers carrying the U.S. flag, to white candles shining amid wreaths and the sounds of bugles and bagpipes, the evening filled the senses with a feeling of honor and respect for not only the victims of the terrorist attacks of five years ago, but also for its heroes, living and dead. It was an event to pay tribute to acts of heroism "known and unknown," said Mayor Bill Barnet as he introduced guest speaker Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.

Bauer stressed the importance of never letting fade the memories and lessons of Sept. 11, including the "spirit of sacrifice."

"We've not deterred from the concept of freedom that our forefathers fought, bled and died for," he said, recounting stories of first responders and civilians who put the lives of others first.

"We remember," Bauer said, "so we can say, 'Thank you.' "

Voices rose high into the late summer air as the men's quartet from First Baptist Church North Spartanburg sang the national anthem. Crowds cheered as a string of three helicopters flew above the stadium and a unified community choir broke into "America the Beautiful."

The ceremony also paid tribute to five Spartanburg County families who have lost relatives in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Among the men and women who filled the stands were those too young to remember the attacks and those not yet born. It was a day of learning for the children of Sina Guffey, who stood beside her daughter, Janie, 6, and son, Jack, 4.

The children watched attentively as their father, Duncan patrol officer Joey Guffey, participated in the ceremony. Janie's favorite part was the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Jack favored the music.

Sina, who was pregnant with Jack when planes struck the World Trade Center towers, now faces the task of explaining to her children what happened that day. She discussed the tragedy with Janie after school Monday.

"We just talked about how brave the police and the firemen were -- it's easy because her dad is a policeman -- but also how sad it was for the people who died, and how we came together as a country," she said.

The night ended with a rifle salute, a candlelight vigil and a choir rendition of "Amazing Grace."

As she left the stadium, Bobbie Higgins draped her arms around the shoulders of her nephews, Michael Robertson Jr. and Calvin Miller Jr.

Higgins, who has a 26-year-old nephew in the U.S. Navy stationed in Norfolk, Va., came out to support not only her loved one but also all military personnel, the victims of Sept. 11 and their families.

"It is truly a blessing to be here to support those who lost their loved ones," she said. "Our hearts go out to them."

Rachel E. Leonard can be reached at 562-7230, or rachel.leonard@shj.com.