Remembering 9/11: Local communities take time to honor lives lost 19 years ago

FORT MILL, S.C. — The country paused Friday to remember the day that changed the United States. It has been 19 years since four planes, taken over by terrorists, were flown into symbols of America, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Towns and cities across the Charlotte area were also remembering the events of September 11, 2001, with many local communities honoring the lives lost that day 19 years ago.

In Fort Mill, a crowd gathers every year, standing with American flags over Interstate 77.

Members of Rolling Thunder, a veteran’s group, along with others stood on the Sutton Road Bridge over I-77 for two hours Friday morning.

“This is not a political rally. This is an American rally. Everyone is welcome to be here,” said Keith Johanson, president of the local chapter of Rolling Thunder.

The tradition started when a local World War II veteran watched the coverage that day, grabbed his flag, and came to the I-77 bridge. Len Farrington stood there all day, by himself. Friends said his wife didn’t even know where he’d gone. Now, that bridge on Sutton Road is named in his honor.

Since then, the event has grown ever since. Those who remember him, and many who never knew him, now stand in his place, carrying American flags, on this September 11.

Those holding the flags don’t cheer or clap, though. Instead, they stand silently.

“Those were civilians that were killed. They were at work, just like you are,” said Navy veteran Harvey Mayhill.

He’s surrounded by dozens of others on both sides of the bridge. They’re holding flags as commuters' race by below on I-77. Many honked their horns and flashed their lights. Some wave from their windows.

“We watched a documentary last night on 9/11 and it reminded me of why we need to be here,” said Rolling Thunder member Janice Tate. “I was in tears before it was over. There were so many thousands that got killed that day and we don’t need to forget.”

For Mayhill, even blaring car horns speak.

“Patriotism is still alive. All we have to do is wake 'em up every once in a while, and this is a good way to wake 'em up today,” he said.

For the men, women and young children standing for hours on the bridge, they’ve done the job of reminding all of us, even briefly of what was lost, including the unity we once shared as a nation. Tate also wants to pass something down, in her family.

“I don’t want my grandchildren to forget. I’ve got 15 grandchildren. I don’t want my children to forget. I have five children. I don’t want any of them to forget,” she said.

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Concord also held a virtual remembrance event Friday morning. They rang a bell at 8:46 a.m., which is when the first plane hit the Twin Towers.

The city of Conover took time to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11. A memorial ceremony of remembrance was held at the Conover City Park.

The mayor asked those gathered not to forget the more than 340 firefighters and 60 police officers who died in New York that day.

Many of those who came out said it’s important to never forget what happened.

“It’s awesome that people aren’t forgetting because so many times people forget and this is not a time to forget,” said resident Francis Robinson. The City of Conover has held a 9/11 ceremony every year since 2001.

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