Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - On a bright, clear Friday morning, Sept. 11, 2026, the City of Cherryville staff, Council members, and members of the Cherryville Fire and Police Departments, along with county ambulance service members, as well as Cherryville High School’s Chorus members and their director, Elisha Mitschke-Lamana, held a 9 a.m. Service of Remembrance for those who perished in the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center’s two towers.
The theme, as stated on the audience informational handout, was simple: “We Remember, We Honor, We Pray.”
Cherryville Mayor Wade Stroupe welcomed everyone on behalf of the City, thanking them for attending the event, which has become a staple for the past few years for the City and the Cherryville Fire Department. Fire Chief Colby Heffner noted that he, too, like Mayor Stroupe, was glad to see a good turnout of folks for the event.
Said Mayor Stroupe, “On behalf of the City, we welcome everyone and want to thank you all for being here this morning.”
He continued, “We remember the lives that were lost (that day), and we pray for the families and the survivors.” Stroupe also noted the “extraordinary courage” demonstrated by the NYCFD personnel and first responders as they rushed in to try to help all they could and render aid at the utmost hour of need.
The bright, clear day weather was similar at the Cherryville event, some noted, to the very day when the tragedy happened in New York City; a tragedy which killed thousands, and destroyed many families and many lives. The sun was shining bright, and it was a beautiful late summer day, with just the barest hint of coolness in it, on that fateful day.
City Manager Brian Dalton noted the City’s 911 event is always “a very important remembrance” for the City of Cherryville and the Cherryville Fire Department. Cherryville Fire Chief Colby Heffner added, “It’s great to see so many come out (for the ceremony).”
Mayor Stroupe complimented city staff and the CFD and all involved, saying, “Everyone did a great job of getting it together for us again this year.”
Cherryville High School’s Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Elisha Mitschke-Lamanna, sang “Written on a Star,” and the National Anthem
was performed by Mr. Austin Burns. Members of the CFD tolled the bell, as they have always done in past ceremonies honoring and remembering those lives lost on 911, both in New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when brave men and women stopped a hijacked plane from its intended course… to destroy the Capitol building.
Rev. Zack Christy offered a Prayer of Remembrance; Rev. Scott Homesley prayed for First Responders; and Rev. Dale Hendricks offered a prayer for the United States of America and its elected leaders.
A beautiful wreath was presented by two members of Cherryville’s EMS, and the Rev. Dr. Matt Thomas gave the closing prayer.
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