ROCKINGHAM — Kimberly Morton was a first-grader on Sept. 11, 2001.
While leading the county’s annual 9-11 memorial service and walk Wednesday — now as an engineer with the Rockingham Fire Department — Morton recalled the fateful day and what it means to her.
“The morning lessons stopped as another teacher entered the room, turned the TV on and that’s the first time I heard the term ‘terrorist attack,’” Morton said.
“Knowing what I know of that experience, it is truly inspiring and takes a certain understanding to do something that is selfless but heroic — for a career, or volunteering, for something that you’re passionate about,” Morton continued. “For many first responders, you never know what that call will be whenever the tones drop.
“There’s no words to describe the thoughts of those responding to the World Trade Center that morning,” she said, adding that 343 firefighters in New York didn’t know what they would be encountering. “Even then, it didn’t stop them from donning their gear, grabbing their essential needs and entering into the World Trade Center.”
The annual walk, from the old courthouse to Walmart, is in honor of the 2,200 steps of the WTC.
“We’ll be walking for their bravery, strength and, most importantly, their dedication to the service,” Morton said.
Wednesday’s service also included members of the Hoffman, Northside and Cordova fire departments, Richmond County Rescue Squad, the Rockingham Police Department and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
“No matter the name, place or badge, we each share a brotherhood. When the moment of unity calls, we stand as one,” Morton said. “Today we are proudly standing together in honor of our brothers and sisters that we lost on 9-11, 23 years ago.
The pre-walk service also included comments from Sheriff Mark Gulledge, Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson and RFD Chaplain Ricky Parker.
See photos below.
