Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009 1:34 pm

Patriotism engulfed hundreds of Rutherford County residents as they remembered the 9/11 victims and celebrated America’s freedoms at the Sheriff’s 9/11 Community Fair Friday night.

Residents wore T-shirts proclaiming “We will never forget,” flags and red, white and blue as they strolled through the fair.

In his opening remarks, Sheriff Truman Jones urged people to remember the sacrifices made by the Americans serving in the armed forces, especially oversees.

The eighth annual community fair memorializes the 9/11 victims who lost their lives in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania from terrorist attacks. The fair also celebrates America and its freedoms.

Both state and county elected officials rang a bell to signify the loss of American lives.

National Guardsman Darby Ledbetter, who recorded, “I Won’t Let My Guard Down,” sang as the headliner act followed by the Roys and Rocky Top Revue.

Other events included games, a petting zoo and inflatables for kids, a hay ride sponsored by the Rutherford County 4-H members, displays of military, law enforcement, firefighter, rescue squad and emergency medical services fleets, displays by civic groups and vendors ranging from massage to pain care and the Linebaugh Library’s Bookmobile.

Mother Meredith Lovell of Murfreesboro attends the fair every year. She brought daughter, Kaya, 3, who showed off a stuffed white bear she received, and her son, Connor, 1.

“It brings the community together,” Lovell said. “Events like this make me want to live here.”

She especially likes the event because Rutherford County doesn’t have a county fair.

People can come together as a community “to remember all the people in the service who serve locally and abroad,” Lovell said. “It’s a great event.”

Rick Barz of Christiana said he wanted to see the displays.

“As a memorial, I think it’s awesome,” Barz said. “Take note of it.”

The fair provides a free community get-together, he said, adding with a grin, “I like it all.”

Alexandria Amuzu, 9, showed off a face painting. She pet a goat and camel in the petting zoo and “ate a lot of candy.”

Taminko Amuzu, who has lived in Murfreesboro 13 years, said this was her first time at the fair.

“I think it’s good support to recognize” 9/11 and to share with the community, Amuzu said.