The City of Alpharetta and the Rotary Club of Alpharetta will host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. on the Town Green in Downtown Alpharetta. 2021 marks the milestone 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This ceremony will commemorate those tragic events as well as honor the courage and sacrifice of first responders.
Mayor Jim Gilvin said, “It is said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. If so, it is the sacred duty of every American to make sure the people of this great country never forget the horrible attacks that took place on September 11th, 2001. Those of us old enough to remember will never forget the impact that day had on our lives and our nation, but more than 100 million Americans are too young to remember what took place on 9/11. So, as we approach the 20th anniversary of that tragic day, it is more important than ever before that we share our memories of the horrific evil and the amazing heroism that took place on that sunny September morning in 2001. We must never forget, to make sure it never happens again.”
Music will start at 8:15 a.m. and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with an Invocation followed by the posting of colors by an honor guard. The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem will then be recited. Next, music and video with images of September 11, 2001, will be played and shown for the audience. A moment of silence will also be observed. Mayor Jim Gilvin is set to give remarks and Alpharetta Department of Public Safety Chief, John Robison, will give the keynote address. The emcee of the program will be William Choate (Cadillac Jack).
The esteemed keynote speaker, Chief John Robison has served in Public Safety for 19 years. Robison began his law enforcement career late in 2001 at the Alpharetta Police Department in Alpharetta, Ga. He left Alpharetta in 2011 to work at the Powder Springs Police Department, becoming Chief of Police in 2015. Robison was fortunate enough to be able to return to Alpharetta in January of 2017 as the Public Safety Chief, where he is currently serving.