The Richmond Hill 9/11 Memorial Service was held this week at J.F. Gregory Park for the fourth year in a row. Local entities such as the Richmond Hill Fire Department, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richmond Hill Police Department were in attendance.

The service also featured music from the Fort Stewart Brass Quintet as well as a color guard.

Pastor Brian Cooper of Bethel Baptist Church views the annual service as a way to remind the community of the sacrifices made by first responders, particularly the younger generation.

“It’s really an opportunity to remind the community and to impact the young generation with the sacrifices that were made on 9/11 by so many of our first responders and those who ran towards harm’s way while others were running from it,” said Cooper. “And then also to commemorate the service of our military who have faithfully fought this war on terror around the world.”

Cooper also highlighted the importance of religion in bringing people together in the wake of September 11.

“If you look back at 9/11, one of the first places people turned in those moments was to faith,” Cooper added.

“And in moments of our uncertainty, moments when we’re not certain what to do, we can always go to Jesus Christ.”