The Rutherford County Sheriff Offices' Annual 9/11 Memorial Service  reached a new level Tuesday evening (9/11/2012) with the flag ceremonies, ringing of the memorial bell and 21-gun salute. 

Sheriff Robert Arnold commented . . .    

The 9/11 Memorial Monument

Austin Janke and members of Boy Scout Troop 197 created the water features around the 3,000 pound I-beam from Tower 1 of New York's World Trade Center. The four urns around the monument represent the victims of the four airlines that crashed. Two went into the Word Trade Center, another into the Pentagon and the fourth was downed in a Sharpsville, Pennsylvania field by brave Americans before reaching its target, thought to be the White House. 

Eagle Scout Austin Janke explained how the project began . . .    

Patrick Thomas, who appeared on NBC television's "The Voice" sang the National Anthem. The Explorer Post of the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office were in charge of the service that placed Old Glory at half-staff. Then Rolling Thunder posted the POW flag while Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue rang the memorial bell and the sheriff's Honor Guard made a 21-gun salute. 

Activities For the Family

There were many inflatable attractions for the youngsters, along with food and an opportunity to purchase a brick with your name on it. That stone will be placed into the walkway around the 9/11 Monument. Deputies from the sheriffs department also were selling 9/11 Challenge Coins. Sheriff Arnold noted, "This project was created totally with private funding". 

The evening also included a patriotic demonstration by the Martial Arts Academy of Murfreesboro along with a musical review of the hits from the 1950's through today from Zone Status. Coupled with temperatures in the 70's it was the perfect night to honor America.