Masons serve First Responder meal

The Albany Masonic Lodge hosted a breakfast for the First Responders of Shackelford County on Tuesday, Sept. 11, with 17 volunteers and emergency workers served. 

The date marked the 17th anniversary of the attack by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. 

Peace officers, dispatchers, jailers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel from across Shackelford County gathered at First Christian Church for the event. 

“The breakfast was an opportunity to express our appreciation for the sacrifice and service that the local First Responders provide to this community each and every day,” said Masonic Lodge member Bob Skelton.

The 2001 attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused more than $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. 

Others, many of them first responders, have died of 9/11 related cancer and respiratory diseases in the months and years following the attacks.

“This Masonic event joined with all Americans in renewing the commitment to ‘Never Forget,’ those that perished on that day and others that have died since that fateful day in history,” said Skelton.

Five members of the local Masonic Lodge helped prepare and serve Tuesday’s breakfast.