Eighteen years ago, 2,977 people left their homes and loved ones either to go to work, vacation, or just to run errands like they have done hundreds of times before. But on September 11, 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks rocked the nation and those individuals never returned home.

In Rock Hill at the Rock Hill Firehouse and Pavilion, hundreds gathered to honor and pay tribute to those who perished on that day.

The Rock Hill Fire Department, along with the Monticello and Wurtsboro Fire Departments, hosted an evening of remembrance for those who perished on 9/11.

This year with Rock Hill hosting the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) wall, they also played tribute to the thousands who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

Before the evening started, State Senator Jen Metzger said, “I think it's incredible that the work that was done to get the wall. Not everyone can get to Washington D.C. The whole idea of a traveling memorial that can go to different communities it brings people together.”

She said her very first bill as State Senator was to rename a bridge in Fremont after a Sullivan County native who perished during the war, Specialist Four Allan Arlyn Milk.

“It was an honor to have that be my first bill,” said Metzger.

The evening started with a group of bagpipers that led a procession to the memorial wall.

Opening remarks were given by the Chief of Rock Hill Fire Department, Brian Soller.

The pledge of allegiance was delivered by Delores Sheely followed by the national anthem sung by JoAnne Gass.

Guest speakers for the evening were Director of Putnam County Veterans Service Agency Karl Rohde and Sullivan County Historian John Conway.

Rohde, who was a Silver Star recipient from the Vietnam War, talked about how some soldiers who returned were not treated right. And that those who still are alive must focus on the positive things that have happened in their life since the war and not the negative from coming home. He applauded those firefighters and first responders who are keeping the memory of 9/11 alive in a positive way.

“We can't forget, you can't change history,” said Rohde.

Conway said, “So many people gathered here, all with a common cause. People from all walks of life had gathered here to remember.”

Howard Goldsmith of the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition read out loud the names of 12 soldiers who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

“We have been very pleased with the reception that the wall has had,” said Goldsmith. “It has been a very good working relationship between the coalition and the fire departments.”

Those soldiers names are: Lieutenant John Calvin Crawford , Private First Class Jerry Brian Evans, Captain Harold John Faldermeyer, Specialist Four Michael Joseph Galbraith, Petty Officer Third Class Charles Ernest Koberlein, Specialist Five James Van Ness Muller, Private First Class Frank Edward Stokes, Lance Corporal William Robert Yaskanich, Private First Class Paul Philip Zylko, Private First Class Dennis Akerley, Sergeant Andrew Carl Brucher and Specialist Four Allan Arlyn Milk.

The nephew of Private First Class Dennis Akerley, Eric Akerley visited the wall and said no words could describe what he felt when he saw it.

“I am very impressed and honored that it has been able to make this journey. It is a very warming feeling and hard to put into words.”

Akerley said his uncle was only 20-years-old when he stepped on a land mine during the war. “Gone too soon,” Akerley said.

Many stories like Akerley's were being told to those who visited the wall on Wednesday night. They wanted their stories to be heard so that no one will forget them.

Wurtsboro Fire Department Chief Richard Dunn read a timeline of the events that happened on 9/11.

A reef was placed honoring those firefighters and first responders who lost their lives on that mournful day.

Mobilemedic EMS Albee Bockman sang a heartful “God Bless America” which was followed by a benediction by Chief of the Summitville Fire Department Robert Hufcut.

To close out that evening, bagpipes filled the air with the song “Amazing Grace” as they proceeded to leave the Pavillion. Hundreds stood silent as they walked by.