During a private ceremony overlooking the Tennessee River and the surrounding valley at Erlanger’s LIFE FORCE hangar, somber sounds of a harp and an ancient ram’s horn (Shafar) could be heard echoing throughout the area this morning — the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
As Celeste Stewart and Jenny Bell played their instruments, members of Erlanger’s team, who were also affected by the 9/11 attacks, bowed their heads to reflect.
Paul Maguire was a paramedic in New York and is now a physician services consultant at Erlanger. “I grew up there and watched many of the buildings in the area being built. I am lucky many of my friends came back home, but the sounds and smells are tough to forget.”
John Loetscher, VP of Facilities Engineering and Real Estate at Erlanger, was at a New York hospital awaiting patients after the attacks. “We were mobilized and ready to respond and accept patients. We prepared for so many people, but very few came.”
“We wanted to take a few minutes today to pray for the victims of 9/11 and for the City of Chattanooga,” said Erlanger’s President and CEO, Kevin Spiegel. “Erlanger is honored to have Celeste and Jenny here to share this moment.”
Celeste Stewart and Jenny Bell are ceremonial artists who accepted the offer to play.
“We know the Lord wanted his trumpets to blow today,” said Celeste Stewart.
“We do this for the glory of God and to bless our community, every community,” added Jenny Bell.
