Cobb County Remembers 9/11

EAST COBB, GA — Cobb County commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 events in a number of moving tributes on Saturday.

The most instantly recognizable took place at the Field of Flags installation at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Marietta. Every five years, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta fills the park up with American flags to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. The flags were installed in a ceremony on Sep. 4, and will remain standing until Sep. 18.

On Saturday, a memorial service was held at the Field of Flags. Detective Tommy Burns played a bagpipe, retired New York City Fire Department Captain James D’Avolio spoke of his memories risking his life in New York 20 years ago, and the Cobb County Police Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Department also also organized a riderless horseman presentation, while retired Homeland Security Agent Richard Rubio played taps after reading the names of the 2,977 innocent victims.

“Along with numerous others who came out this morning to remember those who perished this morning 20 years ago, we are proud to stand on this field and pay tribute to those Americans and those brave heroes who gave their lives trying to save as many as they could that fateful day,” Cobb County Police said in a Facebook post.

At nearby Kennesaw State University, retired FBI agent Gina Young gave a keynote address, followed by a concert from the KSU chamber singers, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by violinist and KSU music professor Helen Kim.

At the Aviation History and Technology Center in Marietta, the Cobb County Police Community Affairs Unit, and the SWAT and Bomb team hosted a special remembrance event for children, where they released doves, and gave out coloring books, stickers, cups, and more. Children were also able to explore the SWAT BearCat vehicle, and try on SWAT gear.