SAN ANGELO, Texas — Usually, the City of San Angelo's 9/11 memorial service is held outside, and people aren't wearing face masks. However, although this year's ceremony looked a little different than in years past, Mayor Brenda Gunter used the circumstances to emphasize the fact that rain or shine, virus or no virus, this city, and its leaders will always take the time to honor and remember the lives lost 19 years ago on September 11, 2001.
"Even though we are not outside today, we are together, we must stick together, we must unite together. We as Americans can never forget what happened. We cannot forget the lives that were lost," Gunter said.
Mayor Gunter paid special tribute to all first responders that entered the scene that day in 2001 and continue to protect our country.
"We salute those who responded to the tragic events for their courage and selfless determination. Almost two decades later, members of our armed forces, intelligence agencies, diplomatic services, homeland security and local public safety departments still work together to ensure the security of our nation," she said.
Mayor Gunter also used her platform to thank the city's local first responders.
"I am proud to be the mayor of a city who will always support funding our police department and all of our first responders. It is through your leadership that we, the citizens of San Angelo, can continue to believe that our quality of life and the life of all of our citizens will be protected," she said.
To end her speech, Mayor Gunter proclaimed September 11, 2020, a day of remembrance.
"I, Brenda Gunter, mayor of the city of San Angelo, Texas, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2020, as a day of remembrance to reflect on the tragedies that occurred, and call upon the citizens of San Angelo to proudly acknowledge the liberties, freedoms and privileges available to citizens in the United States," she said.