September 11, 2020

Sabine Medical Center hosted a 9-11 Memorial this morning to honor the memories of those lost on 9-11, the vital service of all first responders that day, and to honor the continued commitment and dedication of our local law enforcement, firefighters and first responders.

“Nineteen years ago America was attacked with the purpose of striking fear and horror in the hearts of the American people in hopes of diminishing our resolve as a people to defend our country. They failed that day,” Many Mayor Ken Freeman said. “And there’s no greater example of that resolve than the brave men and women of the first responders who ran towards danger as they ran into those burning towers. We, as the American people, today give honor to those brave men and women and we express our gratitude to the brave men and women – the first responders of today, who continue to run towards danger, to prove their resolve to serve and defend. We, the American people, should never lose sight of the fact that united we stand and can defeat any threat to our great nation and also understand that divided, we will surely fall. God bless our first responders and God bless America,” the mayor said.

The event was opened with remarks by SMC Business Office Mgr. Debra Jones, and remarks and prayer by the Rev. Wilton Anthony, followed by a beautiful patriotic medley performed by Dusty Heard.

“We remember 9-11 today,” said Jones. “But we also celebrate today as a Patriots Day, a day honoring community and service.”

Representing local law enforcement and first responders were Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Chief Deputy Brad Walker and several more from the Sabine Sheriff’s Office, Many Assistant Chief of Police Kyle Cook and Sergeant Stanley Cook, Fire Chief Scott Gowen and several firefighters, as well as several from Acadian Air Med ambulance services. Anna Garcie Cash, Deputy District Attorney, was also among the 55-60 guests who attended.

Dr. Paul Schonbrun, who was an emergency care physician in New York City when 9-11 happened, shared his personal memories of immediately going to the Twin Towers only a few hours after they were hit to help in any capacity he could.

“There was nothing but smoke,” he said. “Somebody handed me a helmet, someone asked if I had gloves, and I did not. They handed me a pair of leather gloves, someone else was passing out shovels. The World Trade Center was 113 stories tall. When I got there, it was a 7-story pile of rubble,” Schonbrun said.

After arriving to the site, he immediately joined a bucket brigade of emergency workers, who formed a human chain – passing supplies up one side into the site, and down the other side away from the rubble – to remove debris, pass along body bags, and provide whatever was needed to help the workers deep inside the mass of destruction.

“Anytime we found a body piece, a call would go out for a body bag, and it would come up the line in complete silence and down the other side,” he remembered.

The doctor worked at the site for 11 days. He went three days without sleep. Everyone there worked until they could not stand. The first time he slept, he found an unused wheelbarrow and tipped it over and went to sleep on it.

“Why did I go? I’m a doctor. I’m a combat vet. Why did I go? There was no place else I should have been,” Schonbrun explained.

He knew the area well, having worked in NYC ten years prior to his residency, which he did in the Bronx.

He lost 13 personal friends in the attack and many, many acquaintances. During his 11 days of being on the front lines of help, one survivor was discovered in the rubble, a firefighter who was known only as John Doe for three weeks.

“There were 2,911 people lost in two big city blocks,” Schonbrun said. “What’s that? About a square mile? …Experiences:  I remember the joy and the laughter. There were tears. It was overwhelming,” he shared.

Dr. Schonbrun shared his memories of when Pres. George W. Bush visited the site, climbing up onto a spot to assure the world the terrorists would be brought to justice.

Schonbrun also remembered some stars who came. Jack Nicholson came to look, and he said Nicholson was like a tourist and did nothing to be of help. “He never lifted a bucket,” Schonbrun said. 

On the other hand, well into his 11 days there, he learned one of his fellow workers – a dedicated New York firefighter who worked 12-hour shifts searching through the rubble for survivors was actor Steve Buscemi, who went back to his Little Italy fire station to volunteer to help the day after the attacks.

Before the Memorial concluded, SMC administrator Fran Hopkins thanked SMC Executive Assistant Tetra Washington for handling all the details of the event. We add our thanks as well. Good job, Sabine Medical Center and Ms. Washington.

As Observations was being posted Friday afternoon, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said that Brandon James Corley, 21, an escapee from the Sabine Detention Center, still had not been found. He escaped a week ago. The Sheriff said two or three leads had come in, including one that led to Texas. 

Chief Deputy Brad Walker said Mike Travis has taken over as head of Sabine Crime Stoppers. He has 20 years’ experience in law enforcement in Monroe. The group has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to Corley’s arrest.

Crime Stoppers can be reached at (318) 256-4511. It is an anonymous line.

Sabine Parish Schools announced late Friday afternoon that beginning on Thursday, Sept. 17, all students in Grades 6-12 will return to school full-time, 5 days a week for face-to-face classes. The decision comes after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announcement that Louisiana is now moving into Phase 3 reopening.

Sixth through twelfth grade students will continue on their A/B school attendance schedule until Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Football is slated to start on Oct. 2, and basketball will start on its usual schedule.

As Pre-K through Grades 5 had already begun the regular school attendance schedule, their attendance schedule will not change.

Mark Birdwell, who lives in the Bethany Community near Marthaville, is pictured with a “huge” rattlesnake killed recently near his house.

His father, Steve, who took the picture, called it “fake news.” You see, the snake is made to look large by displaying it on the end of a long pole near the camera.

“Fake news” or not, it’s not a fellow we’d want to meet.

We want to extend Get Well wishes to Virginia Fremaux, who has been undergoing some health issues. Please remember her, husband Eugene and other members of the family in your prayers.

 Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said the Sheriff’s Dept. continues to make a diligent effort to stop the flow of contraband into the Sabine Detention Center. Since taking office in July, seven or eight cell phones and chargers have been confiscated, three packages of synthetic marijuana, a small amount of meth, and xanax bars.

Chief Detective Brad Walker said it will make a big difference when new cameras and fencing are completely installed.

Congratulations to Milton Milliken on his promotion to Sales Manager at Foy Chevrolet Buick GMC. He is shown here at left with Foy Motors Manager Robert Hable. Lots of good things happening at Foy!

That’s all for this Friday lagniappe edition of Observations. Thanks for reading. Be sure and stay tuned because there’s more news happening than we can shake a stick at. Wednesday will be chock full. Call or write me with your ideas and suggestions. Call (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To see Observations of the recent past, scroll through the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page. To save, send or print today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

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