Members of the Newport News Sheriff’s Office took part in the annual 9/11 Honor and Remembrance Ceremony held on September 11 on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
Hope Gatling, a clerk in Civil Enforcement who is also a recording artist, sang the National Anthem after the Joint Honor Guard presented colors. The Honor Guard members were from the NNSO, the Newport News Fire and Police departments.
NNSO Chief Deputy Col. Shonda Whitfield, Police Chief Steve Drew and interim Fire Chief Wesley Rogers were joined on the stage by CNU’s new president, William Kelly, and Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones.
Kelly made opening remarks and Mayor Jones was the guest speaker.
2023 marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in suburban Pennsylvania.
Each agency placed a wreath in memory of the victims. The fire department conducted the tolling of the bell, sounding a single bell very slowly to mark the lives lost that day.
September 11 is designated as Patriot Day to serve as a reminder to honor and remember the lives lost on that September morning and to renew this country’s promise to Never Forget.