The 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was observed Wednesday and just like other major events throughout history, the moment is indelibly marked on our collective consciousness, as we individually remembered where we were and what we were doing when we found out.
My mother called me that morning, telling me to turn on my TV. I did … not fully grasping what I was seeing at first.
A short while later, I was at the courthouse to cover a commissioners court meeting. As the Court convened to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget, many people felt helpless and somewhat silly continuing to go through the motions as if it was an ordinary day.
Flags throughout the community could be seen flying at half-staff.
Stunned office workers all over town huddled around televisions and radios to hear updates on the catastrophe. Although it was occurring thousands of miles away, it may as well have been here, as one could feel the quite pall that fell over everyone as shock and disbelief gave way to tears and anger.
Some may think that Polk Countians had nothing to worry about in conjunction with the attacks, but regardless, numerous precautions were underway locally that fateful Tuesday.
Although none of the school districts in Polk County closed or dismissed early that day, several campuses in the Livingston ISD were under a self-imposed lockdown.
Prayer vigils open to the public were held at Central Baptist Church, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church.
Area law enforcement agencies were on alert and based on recommendations by the county’s Office of Emergency Management, extra units patrolled the courthouse area that day.
The Polk County Sheriff ’s Office patrolled area schools and monitored local price gouging in the days that followed.
The Trinity River Authority and Lake Livingston Dam took precautions as well, by increasing the number of security personnel, including security personnel in boats on Lake Livingston.
The local hospital and the Red Cross co-sponsored a blood drive to benefit the victims of the terrorist attacks.
In the days and weeks that followed, the Polk County Enterprise was tipped off to numerous local connections and managed to provide very localized coverage of the aftermath of the attacks.
Later that month, an estimated 2,000 people decked out in red, white and blue turned out for Polk County’s “Proud to be an American” rally and candlelight service at Lions Stadium, an event that included a community choir, an essay contest, a tribute to citizens, a tribute to fire/rescue/law enforcement/
military, prayer and a fireworks
display.
We were truly a united nation. I wish we still were.
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