First responders, civic leaders and citizens remembered sacrifices made on September 11, 2001 during Patriots’ Day events Tuesday.

Beginning in the early morning hours, organizations began honoring and remembering those who were involved in the attacks on 9-11.  Veterans of Foreign War Post 3278 held a breakfast honoring local first responders and observed Patriots’ Day with a Prayer Service.

VFW Senior Vice Commander James Masters explained that the 9-11 attack was different than anything ever faced in the U.S.

“Unlike in past times, this attack did not target our military forces or assets. This attack targeted civilians for the expressed purpose of terror. This attack, unlike our prior conflicts, did not place our military at the forefront but required our 1st responders as the first troops in action,” said Masters  “The mission our military and frst responder forces is that of the protection and safety of the civilians they serve.”

The Salvation Army, along with representatives of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance, dedicated a flag pole at the Salvation Army Service Center Tuesday morning as they held a remembrance ceremony.  A special 9-11 flag with names of all those who perished in the four terror attacks that day was raised on the new flag pole.

Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes gave opening remarks and the invocation, describing how “in the blink of an eye,” lives were taken and changed forever by the terror attacks that day.

Assistant Chief Grady Shuey of the Brownwood Fire Department, Sergeant Art Shannon of the Brownwood Police Department, Chief Deputy Bobby Duvall of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and Major Colton of the 111th Engineer Battalion of the Texas Army National Guard each spoke of the attacks at the Salvation Army Ceremony, the response of the New York Fire Department and other first responders, and the turning points in national history.

Bells were tolled and moments of silence observed.

At the Brownwood City Council, a special honor guard made up of Lt. Kyle Whitley and Captain Robert Myers from the Brownwood Fire Department and officers Fred Bastardo and Zane Taylor from the Brownwood Police Department posted the colors and held the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.  Brownwood Fire Department Chaplain David Barnum gave the invocation.

For more photos of the events, please see the photo gallery and videos below.

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