News Flash

On Wednesday, September 11, 2013, approximately two hundred Hampton citizens and first responders, as well as members of our Armed Forces, gathered at Gosnold's Hope Park for “A Day of Remembrance and Hope” to solemnly memorialize the events of 9/11/2001. At 8:46 a.m. attendees were called to silence to mark the moment when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, signaling an attack that ultimately took the lives of almost 3,000 people in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania and pushed America into two wars that have continued for more than a decade. Continuing a tradition that began three months after the original attack, attendees and participants joined together to remember those who died on 9/11; to name and honor members of our armed forces who have sacrificed their own lives for our freedom since that day; and to express their hope in a brighter tomorrow. The names of the fallen were read aloud amid the park’s Trees of Hope and Soils of Justice.

The Honorable Mary Joseph Ward, Mayor of the City of Hampton, welcomed all and recognized distinguished visitors and representatives of our Armed Forces and Hampton’s First Responders. The Hampton Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard posted the colors and Mr. Chuck Valliant, USA (ret) and Vice Chairman of Hampton’s Military Affairs Committee recounted the history of 9/11, giving special thanks to former Councilwoman Angela Leary who organized the first “Day of Remembrance and Hope” and recognition to Mrs. Gloria Murray whose daughter, Sandra Murray White, was killed during the attack on the Pentagon. BG Cedric T. Wins, US Army, Ft Eustis, paid official respects on behalf of our Nation to Mrs. Murray and to the other local families of fallen heroes who attended. Chaplain Steve West, Langley Air Force Base, rendered the invocation and benediction, and guest speaker First Sergeant Ryan Sattleberg, USA, 149th Seaport Operations Company, shared his thoughts on being a warrior, serving America, and facing the future with hope and optimism. An active duty soldier with seventeen years in the United States Army with multiple wartime deployments, 1SG Sattelberg has received numerous military awards including four Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.

Special musical arrangements included Mrs. Ann Maninga’s America the Beautiful, Mr. Michael McKenna’s Where Were You, and a moving performance of Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes by Major Sean Smith, USMC. The Bethel High School band opened the ceremony with a patriotic prelude and our national anthem and Airman First Class Mark Oates, Heritage of America Band, closed it with the playing of Taps. The Hampton Sheriff’s Honor Guard volleyed a rifle salute at the end as well.

A video recording of the 2013 "Days of Remembrance and Hope" is available on the Hampton.gov/MAC website on the Videos tab.

“We remember the lost—the innocent victims and those who serve; and we trust in the future, that good will prevail, and that our Nation will survive as that shining light on a hill.” -- Suzanne Higgs, Hampton Military Affairs Committee