Sept. 11, 2001. It is a date few will ever forget and many will mourn.

It was a time of anguish and consolation. And a time of unity and sacrifice.

Two years later, T&D Region residents will once again have an opportunity to demonstrate that the chains of unity don't wear thin with time when city and county elected officials, business and religious leaders gather in a Spirit of Unity ceremony Sept. 11 in the Department of Public Utilities Centennial Park situated in the middle of Edisto Memorial Gardens.

The program will spotlight those men and women who are or were deployed in the 414th Transportation Co., along with other area service men and women.

A special moment of silence will also be offered for Pfc. Vorn Mack, who became the first Orangeburg casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom Aug. 23.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m.

"This will be the third year that we have had the Spirit of Unity program and in lieu of the fact that we are still at war in Iraq and with troops dispersed in other parts of the world, we felt it important that we gather again in remembrance of 9-11," Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller said. "I encourage people to come out and show their support for service men and women, not just the 414th, but all individuals deployed and defending our freedoms in foreign countries. This event should be equally as poignant as it has been in years past."

The first 500 in attendance will receive an American flag and patriotic fans. Water will be provided by the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities.

As part of the program, the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and the Honor Guard will lead in the posting of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance with Spc. 4 Yakina Edwards, of the 414th Transportation Co., singing the national anthem.

Adding a patriotic and spiritual sentiment will be a mass community choir made up of approximately 80 representatives from area churches.

"Creation will Be at Peace," "Song for the Unsung Hero" and "America" will serve as the introduction, and all will be encouraged to join in "God Bless America" to close out the ceremony.

Along with the proclamation in song, reflections will be provided in word from the Rev. Roderick Belin, pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church of Orangeburg, and Fr. Michael Polewczak of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Sharing his insight and experience as South Carolina director of homeland security and the state's liaison to Tom Ridge of the Homeland Security Office, retired U.S. Army Major General R.S. "Steve" Siegfried will be the featured speaker.

Siegfried was appointed by former Gov. Jim Hodges in October 2001 as state director, holding the position until January of this year.

He retired from the Army in October 1995 after 34 years of service. He enlisted in 1961, rose to the rank of sergeant, was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the infantry from officer candidate school in 1963 and shortly rose to the rank of major general.

During his 34 years of service, tours were made in Panama, Germany and Great Britain. He made two combat tours in Vietnam.

He wears two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Legion Merit, three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts, as well as 27 other awards for bravery, achievement and service.

For three years in the early 1990s, Siegfried was the commanding general of Fort Jackson.

In accommodation of the expected crowds, Riverside Drive will be closed to vehicles from the fountain at the entrance to Edisto Memorial Gardens through the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center.

Parking will be available on the new parking lot, near the chamber building and around the arts center.

For more information about the Spirit of Unity gathering, call the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce at 534-6821 or city hall at 533-6000.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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