 | 9/11
Remembrance Ride
September 8, 2013
Con was very honored to be invited once again to sing our National Anthem at the 2013 East TN 9/11 Remembrance Ride & Ceremony. This marks the 10th year of the annual event that started
in 2004 as a way to honor and remember the victims of 9/11/2001. This also marks Con's third year to sing the National Anthem at the event. |
 | Before the ceremony begins,
members of the Tennessee Chapters of the Red Knights and Blue Knights present Con with a plaque showing their appreciation of his participation and support of the Remembrance Ride. Pictured L-R:
Norman Rickman, Blue Knight TN III President; Fred Tipton, Red Knight TN II President; Con; T.C. Hicks, Blue Knight TN III Past President; and Greg Darnell, Red Knight TN II Vice President and
Past President.
|
 | As the crowd pours into the World's Fair Park Amphitheater, Con and Jack Ryan share a few moments. Jack is the emcee for today's event, and is the afternoon drive host at 96.7 Merle FM in Knoxville. |
 | Beautiful skies
surround Knoxville's iconic Sunsphere at the World's
Fair Park. |
 | The crowd grows as bikes line every street and alley leading into the World's Fair Park. |
 | The Color Guard for today's ceremony was made up of members of the Knoxville Fire Department. |
 | Con's good friend and Knox County Mayor
Tim Burchett, left, is proud to be among today's speakers. |
 | Kelly Shipe plays "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes and leads the Color Guard into the amphitheater as today's ceremony gets underway. |
 | Con then sings his soul-stirring version of our National Anthem, The Star
Spangled Banner. |
 | Next, Mayor Burchett addresses the crowd with his thoughts and memories of that tragic day, and how even though we are a nation made up of so many different races, cultures, religions, and political views - that day we all became one. |
 | After the Policeman's Prayer and the Firemen's Prayer were read, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley rang a bell at 10:28am. This is the precise moment that the second tower fell at the World Trade Center in NY on September 11, 2001. |
 | Trina Scott, left, and her daughter spoke next of the impact and lingering struggles that face survivors and families
of victims of tragedies
like 9-11. Families of first responders also bear a huge burden as the lives of their loved ones are on the line daily as they attempt to ensure safety and security for others. Trina is Past President of Middle & East Tennessee Concerns of Police Survivors. She lost her husband David in the line of duty in 2002. |
 | Special Counsel to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Butch Bryant, spoke next of the continued challenges our officers face as they put forth every effort to keep us safe. |
 | After a closing prayer, members
of the Knox County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard performed a 21 Gun Salute, and with that the ceremonies drew to a close.
Riders then began to make way to their bikes to get the 2013 Remembrance Ride underway.
At left are a few of the clubs represented in this year's Ride. Another year has come and gone since the tragedy of 9-11, but we stand together in our promise that we willnever forget!
God Bless America! |
