PHOTO GALLERY: North Georgia pauses to remember, salute heroes

A number of events have been held this week across North Georgia to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to acknowledge the service of emergency personnel, active duty military personnel and veterans.

Tuesday night, Habersham County residents, public safety personnel and veterans gathered at the Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor in Cornelia to hear music and reflections from those who were working in public safety 17 years ago, and to light candles remembering those whose lives were lost on 9/11.

Earlier in the day, rain forced the student body of Fairview Elementary near Demorest to move their Hometown Heroes ceremony indoors, but didn’t dampen their spirits in the least.

Both Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Sheriff Joey Terrell commended the students for their enthusiasm and patriotism.

Earlier, on Sunday, more than 1,000 motorcycles made their way across North Georgia in the annual Ride to Remember. The ride started at Cycle World of Athens, then made its way through Clarke, Jackson and Banks counties, stopping in Cornelia for about 30 minutes before continuing through Habersham, White and Lumpkin counties, ending at Copperhead Lodge near Blairsville. The event is North Georgia’s largest motorcycle memorial ride.

Sgt. Stephanie Smith of Cornelia Police Department reflects on Sept. 11, 2001, at Tuesday night's vigil at the Habersham County Wall of Honor in Cornelia. (Photo by Lindsey London)

Habersham County residents, veterans and public safety personnel gather on the grounds of the Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor in Cornelia Tuesday night. (Photo by Lindsey London)

Members of the color guard at the Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor listen as speakers reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Lindsey London)

Commander Bill Miles of Grant Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 in Cornelia speaks to those gathered on the grounds of the Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor Tuesday night. (Photo by Lindsey London)

Cornelia firefighters gather at the Habersham County Veterans Wall of Honor Tuesday night for the remembrance ceremony. (Photo by Lindsey London)

The annual Ride to Remember rolls into Cornelia Sunday afternoon.

More than 1,000 motorcycles make their way along U.S. 441 in Cornelia Sunday afternoon.

Cornelia and Habersham County public safety vehicles are shown during the Cornelia stop for Ride to Remember.

Ride to Remember Organizer Mike Newell, facing camera, talks with Habersham County Sheriff's Office and Cornelia Police Department personnel about the next leg of the ride.

Rider to Remember motorcyclists take a break in the parking lot of Habersham County Shopping Center in Cornelia Sunday afternoon.

Cornelia Fire Department units block U.S. 441 Bypass in Cornelia to allow Ride to Remember participants to pull out safely to continue their journeys.

Fairview Elementary students and Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper watch as the Habersham Central High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard presents the colors at Tuesday afternoon's Hometown Heroes ceremony.

Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper acknowledges the public safety personnel, military personnel and veterans in the audience at Tuesday afternoon's Hometown Heroes event at Fairview Elementary.

Sheriff Joey Terrell, Cpl. Griggs Wall and Habersham Emergency Services Director Chad Black visit with Fairview Elementary School students during the Hometown Heroes assembly Tuesday afternoon.

Habersham County Emergency Services Battalion Chief Lanier Swafford, right, and other emergency personnel visit with students at Fairview Elementary School during the Hometown Heroes ceremony.

Members of the Fairview Elementary School Student Council carry their Hometown Heroes while visiting with public safety personnel and veterans Tuesday afternoon.

Personnel from Habersham County Emergency Services and the Habersham County Sheriff's Office greet Fairview Elementary students during the Hometown Heroes assembly.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/9/712240/photo-gallery-north-georgia-pauses-to-remember-salute-heroes