The bell rang out in the packed sanctuary at Hopewell Baptist Church Sunday, Sept. 11.
One. For American Airlines Flight 11, which struck the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City at 8:46 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
Two. For United Airlines Flight 175 traveling from Boston to Los Angeles, which struck the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City at 9:03 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
Three. For American Airlines Flight 77, which struck the Pentagon Building in Washington DC at 9:37 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
Four. For the south tower of the World Trade Center, which collapsed in about 10 seconds at 9:59 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
Five. For United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
Six. For the north tower of the World Trade Center, which collapsed at 10:28 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001.
The time between the first terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 and the collapse of both World Trade Center towers was 102 minutes.
Those 102 minutes and the aftermath that followed has stayed in the hearts of Americans for 15 years. Hopewell Baptist Church hosted a remembrance dinner and honored first responders in its church hall Sunday, Sept. 11. The dinner started with the ringing of the bell and a prayer. Members from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Rescue were among those in attendance. Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and PCPD Chief Ed Duncan were also in attendance.
Guest speaker David Hancock gave testimony about bringing faith to people while working on the streets for various law enforcement agencies. He got his start as a rescue swimmer and combat search and rescue crewman in the United States Navy.
While patrolling, he had in 72-point font on the screen in his car: When you stand before God, what answer will you give for the life you lived?
“Look, we went after bad guys. That’s what we do,” Hancock said.
— Amber Jurgensen