Community leaders pause for 9/11 Patriot Day observance

Community leaders pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 victims. From left are Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce President Dennis Mitchell, former president Karen Hardell, business leader Cliff Calderwood, former city councilwoman Linda Parker and Mayor David Cadle.

CRESTVIEW — Community leaders took time before Wednesday morning's Government Issues Committee meeting for a moment of silence in remembrance of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The monthly Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce committee meeting coincidentally fell on Patriot Day this year.

Committee chairperson Ashley Rogers of the Chesser & Barr law firm requested the observance prior to introducing speaker Nathan Sparks, executive director of the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council.

Sparks said he was attending an economic conference in Toulouse, France, when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred. Many of the participants in the conference were Americans.

"It was one of those moments that made so many of our hearts stop," Sparks said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community leaders pause for 9/11 Patriot Day observance