Every year on September 11th, thousands of ceremonies and memorials are held all across the country for those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks and related attempts. This year, on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the City of Gatlinburg will be holding a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza.
Beginning at 8:30AM on Sunday, this ceremony will be led by Ripley’s Entertainment Executive Terrylynn Battson. Battson’s son, Paul, was working at a building adjacent to the World Trade Centers the day of September 11, 2001. You will listen to Battson relay her son’s frightening and memorable account of that day as she conveys the emotions she and her son felt. You will be touched by Battson’s motherly point of view as she offers words of remembrance and sentiments.
The Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza will be adorned in red, white and blue as a giant American flag is hung from the windows. The ceremony will include a message from State Senator Doug Overbey and words from motivational speaker Carl Mays. The Gatlinburg-Pittman Barber Shop Quartet will be there providing patriotic hymns and songs for the event, while Gatlinburg Fire and Police Departments will commemorate the event by flashing their lights and sirens at 8:45AM – the time of the first attack.
For more information about this event, please visit the Gatlinburg Events website.