Vandals place cardboard planes on 9/11 memorial in Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, LA (KATC) - Police in Louisiana are searching for the culprit who vandalized a September 11 memorial in downtown Lafayette, on the 12th anniversary of the attacks.

Someone placed two cardboard cutout images of crashing planes at the site. Authorities have since removed them.

Each plane had the letters "NWO" and an image of an eye in a triangle, a reference to the New World Order conspiracy theory.

The theory includes the belief that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by the United State government.

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Community still working to reopen Cozby-Germany hospital

GRAND SALINE, TX (KLTV) -

An East Texas community is continuing to fight for their local hospital to be reopened.

Wednesday, residents of Grand Saline organized their next community meeting in support of Cozby-Germany Hospital. The ladies auxiliary assisted former hospital employees in setting up committees for volunteers to sign up for at the next town hall meeting.

Community members who want to get involved in the effort to raise money and reopen the hospital is asked to attend a meeting on Monday, September 16 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Grand Saline High School Cafetorium.

The hospital was closed in late august due to financial problems.

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ETX Fire Academy honors 9/11 victims at graduation

KILGORE, TX (KLTV) -

The Kilgore College Fire Academy paid tribute Wednesday night to the 343 firefighters who died 12 years ago on 9/11.

Organizers scheduled the academy's 88th graduation on 9/11 so the graduates will never forget the New York firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"One reason I decided to have it tonight was so that this generation of firefighters never forgets the importance of this day. We're also introducing the cadets to the brotherhood of firefighting," said Mike Fennell lead instructor at the Kilgore College Fire Academy.

"It's very special to me. It's a memorial thing. It's something I'll never forget," said Wesley Daugherty, one of the graduates at the ceremony.

Daugherty was in first grade when the attacks happened, "I didn't know exactly what was going on but I knew we were going to war though because my parents brought me up and they told me."

Like many people, graduate Jovane Rossum remembers exactly what he was doing that day, "I was actually in chemistry class. Our teacher turned on the television and we actually watched the second plane crash into the towers."

Holding the graduation ceremony on 9/11 gave everyone involved a chance to pause honor the victims of the deadly attacks.

"We are never going to forget the sacrifice that the members of the FDNY made 12 years ago because they paid the ultimate price," Fennell said.

The graduates say this is an emotional celebration and they are proud to join in the bond that comes with putting your life on the line for others.

"All of us made it and it's just a very special feeling to be graduating on 9/11," Rossum said.

15 students graduated at Wednesday night's ceremony.

Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt and Texas Assistant State Fire Marshal Kistner Stoudt were guest speakers at the event. 

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Tyler holds 9/11 ceremony: 'To honor those who have fallen'

TYLER, TX (KLTV) -

Wednesday morning, a September 11 ceremony took place outside Tyler City Hall. The ceremony was conducted by Mayor Barbara Bass, the Tyler Fire Department Honor Guard and the Tyler Police Department Honor Guard.

With the flag at half mast, Mayor Bass made a moving speech to remember those who have fallen.

The speech was followed by the playing of 'Taps' on the trumpet. 'Amazing Grace' was also played on the bagpipes.

The ceremony ended in prayer.

"We came today to remember the fallen and what first responders and military did on the day on that attack which was 12 years ago," said Don Martin, Public Information Officer with the Tyler Police Department. "It's so important. It's almost like Pearl Harbor. It's a day we will never forget and we lost many lives, close to 3,000. We come together to remember them and make sure they didn't die in vain."

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Local, statewide observances held for Sept. 11

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - Public and private remembrances will be held Wednesday in East Texas to commemorate the twelfth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Governor Perry has asked state and local governments to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities.

All Texas and U.S. flags will be flown at half-staff Wednesday.

Governor Perry has asked everyone in Texas to observe a personal moment of silence to remember the terrorist attacks, honor the victims, and reflect upon the meaning of the day.

And for the first time since September 11, 2001, a new law passed by the Texas Legislature last spring will affect how Texas public schools will commemorate the 9/11 attacks.

House Bill 1501, introduced by Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, says that when 9/11 falls on a regular school day, each public elementary and secondary school will observe a minute of silence at the beginning of first period class.

Immediately before the minute of silence, a class instructor will make a statement of reference to the memory of the people who died on September 11, 2001.

In Tyler Wednesday morning, a ceremony will be held to mark the twelfth anniversary of the attacks.

The ceremony will be conducted by Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and honor guards from the police and fire departments.

The ceremony starts at 9 a.m. outside Tyler City Hall on North Bonner Avenue.

Also, the Kilgore Fire Academy will honor the memory of 9/11's fallen firefighters at its graduation ceremony Wednesday night.

The ceremony is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center in Kilgore.

Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt and Texas Assistant State Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner will be speaking.

Fifteen new firefighters will graduate Wednesday as they honor the 343 firefighters who gave their lives 12 years ago.

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Crews respond to overnight train derailment

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) -

Longview emergency crews responded to a train derailment overnight.

Officials say the derailment happened just after 12:30 am Sunday on Gumsprings road near Cotton street and Eastman road in Longview.

Authorities say a Burlington train was switching cars when two tank cars derailed. One was carrying diesel fuel which did not spill, while the second car spilled a small amount of tar.

Officials say there was no danger to the public. Longview fire officials responded to the scene and railroad workers remain on the scene at this hour.

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