Event honors victims of 9/11

LIVINGSTON — Brooklyn Arnold was only 2 years old when the events of Sept. 11, 2001, occurred.

Although she has “read about it,” the 13-year-old said she was “never really told about it.”

Brooklyn and other Frost Elementary School students listened Sept. 11 to parish officials and guests talk about the events of that day during “Cry Out America,” a remembrance and prayer service.

Brooklyn said she attended “to support the people who died for us.”

The afternoon was marked by a melody of patriotic music, prayers and calls to remember those who died that day.

Jan Bates, of Watson, said she came to “honor people who lost their lives and the families who lost their loved ones.

“Its so sad that all of those people lost their family members, and that’s why we’re sending our kids over to Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“All gave some; some gave all,” she said. “They gave their lives.

This year’s event was the fourth to be held in the Livingston Parish Council Chambers, organizer Carolyn Hatcher said.

Hatcher, along with Annie Fugler, Floy Law, Janice Bourgoyne, Mary Dunaway and Nila DiMaria, organized this year’s service.

Janice Bourgoyne, of Watson, and other members of the Livingston Parish Intercessors, came to pray.

“We don’t want people to forget,” Dunaway said.

Former Livingston Parish Sheriff Willie Graves said he remembered exactly where he was when the planes hit the twin towers in New York City.

“Do you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news?” Graves asked.

As speaker after speaker recalled their whereabouts on Sept. 11, 2001, more than 100 people listened to the stories.

“Never forget,” Graves said. “And that’s what we’re here to do.”

“We’re here to pray for our country,” Hatcher said.