Wednesday, September 10, 2025–10:05 a.m.
-Staff reports-
Thursday morning, the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department will remember the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The public is invited to attend the annual 9/11 commemorative service, which will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Rome-Floyd County Firefighters Memorial Plaza, located behind Rome City Hall.
“We try to emphasize each year to never forget,” said Retired Rome-Floyd Fire Department Battalion Chief Phil Langston. “Never forget that day.”
The attacks claimed 2,977 lives, including an estimated 2,700 at the World Trade Center in New York, 125 at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and 44 aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania.
“There were some very brave people on that plane up in Pennsylvania,” said Retired Rome-Floyd Fire Department Captain David Kay. “We don’t hardly harp on that enough, I don’t think. The other planes got most of the attention because they struck landmarks, but these people really knew what was about to happen to them, and they took matters into their own hands. That plane was possibly heading toward the Capitol or the White House. All the people on board got together, and that just goes to show what we can do as a country if we all get together.”
Thursday’s ceremony will also feature a special wreath-laying.
“We had a young man by the name of Garrett Kent,” said Langston. “He had made the rank of corporal in our department. Tragically, he was killed in an automobile accident [in 2023]. We try to honor folks’ family members by letting them present the memorial wreath each year. A suggestion was made that we honor Cpl. Kent. His father is going to be here. Chief Brock and Mr. Kent will present that memorial wreath.”
The Exchange Club of Rome will also have its replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on display.
