MTSU Holds 11th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Roy Sexton, a U.S. Navy veteran and retired U.S. Secret Service agent, reflected on his experiences with President George W. Bush during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks while speaking at Middle Tennessee State University’s 11th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. Sexton, who led the advance team for Bush’s Sarasota, Florida, visit that morning, recalled learning of the attacks alongside White House press secretary Ari Fleischer as the president read to schoolchildren.
“On this day, let’s remember the real heroes, the men and women who ran into the buildings and those who later paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Sexton, now vice president and director of security at Alabama Power.
The ceremony, held at MTSU’s Miller Education Center, featured Army and Air Force ROTC cadets reading a timeline of the tragic events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Cadets including De’Twan Hayes, Marshall Graves, and Lancy Fripp spoke about the importance of honoring history and those who came before them. Keith M. Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, urged attendees to remember the spirit of service shown on that day.
The event also included the national anthem performed by Recording Industry adjunct professor and veteran Jamie Teachenor, composer of the U.S. Space Force anthem, and concluded with taps by graduate student Michael Swaenepoel.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, Provost Mark Byrnes, veterans, police officers, students, alumni, and community members attended the early morning ceremony, coordinated by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.
