By admin 
On the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, South Carolinians gathered in Columbia to reflect on the solemn day.
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The Friday morning remembrance ceremony near downtown brought together elected officials, law enforcement leaders and military members. Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters it was important for him to attend and help the public remember what happened.
“We have to be vigilant, and we need to thank those that that give their lives or spend their lives protecting us,” McMaster told reporters. “We forget too quickly, and when we forget, we put our guard down.”
McMaster encouraged attendees to remember and educate others about not just what occurred on 9/11 but also the history of South Carolina and the U.S.
Friday was the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. As the events of 9/11 move further away, many said it would be important to continue remembering and passing on memories to future generations.
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“Those of us who were alive and saw that happen won’t be here,” McMaster said. “But we must pass that message on. That is the strength of our country.”
The governor said now-U.S. district attorney Bryan Stirling came into his office on the day in 2001, when they were working at a law firm, and told him to turn on the TV. They were “glued” to the television for the day, McMaster told reporters Friday.
Diane Rawl, the mother of 1st Lt. Ryan Rawl who was killed while serving in the South Carolina National Guard, honored the people who died on 9/11 and its aftermath. Rawl died in 2012 while serving active duty in Afghanistan, according to media reports.
“The pain, the terror and the tremendous loss of so many Americans will not be forgotten, nor will the incredible displays of courage by the first responders that day,” Rawl said. “In addition, many South Carolinians went on to lose a loved one as a direct result of the horrific actions of that day.”
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Joseph Bustos contributed reporting