Charger News

"Light Up the Night” festival at fair grounds showed American pride

Josh Mattingly, Charger Staff

September 11 was a day that forever changed America. Its lasting effects will undoubtedly be felt for many years to come. In Cookeville, we celebrated the one year anniversary with sunken hearts and our heads held high at the Light Up the Night festival.

The celebration began at four o’clock with gospel music provided by the group Passenger. Music continued for several hours with performances from various groups. At seven o’clock, the real show began with a parachute drop compliments of the Fort Campbell’s Screaming Eagles, immediately followed by the evening’s opening prayers.
Charles McCaskey prayed for the local fire, police, and EMT workers in Cookeville, followed by Larry Self, who prayed for the victims of the horrible attacks on September 11, 2001. Finally, Hillier Duke lead the mass of gathered Americans in a prayer for our fighting forces of the past, present, and future.

After these powerful messages, nearly every police officer, highway patrolman, fire fighter, EMT, National Guard, and members of each branch of the armed services stood firmly, shoulder to shoulder, enclosing the fairgrounds in a ring of human security.
Next came Cookeville’s mayor, Dr. Charles Womack, to say a few words about the affects of September 11 on Cookeville. He preceded Putnam County executive Kim Blaylock who declared September 11 an official Putnam County holiday.

Following a performance by the CHS chorus, guest speaker General Wendell Gilbert, Director of Homeland Security, addressed the crowd.

Many used the moment of silence following his address to turn inward to find spiritual peace. In this solemn quiet, candles were lit all across the stands, the first being lit by Father Peter Coffey of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church.

New York City firefighter, Peter Gunther spoke at the end of the evening. A presentation of statues, and the singing of “America the Beautiful “ was a patriotic finale. The mellow sound of taps and the cold, harsh sound of a 21 gun salute reminded everyone of the state of our nation.

Strait Shooter played Brooks and Dunn’s “Only in America” to end the night’s festivities.

Everyone in attendance that evening left the fairgrounds with a deep patriotic feeling and a renewed commitment to support our own local heroes. Light Up the Night was an event which made one proud to be an American and thankful to live in this country.

Article prepared for web by Joy Wheeler