25 years ago, hundreds filled the Benson Auditorium to pray, mourn and grieve the terrible attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. And 25 years later, the city of Searcy and Harding University continue to remember the lives that were lost on that day.
Harding and the city of Searcy partnered on Thursday, Sept. 10, to host a prayer service in the Benson Auditorium, reminding us of the unity that the community and country felt after that terrible day.
“It was an emotional moment to remember a horrific national tragedy,” said Harding President Mike Williams. “Out of the ashes of September 11, division evaporated across race, politics and religion. Tonight, we recaptured that spirit where the unified body of Christ in Searcy came together to pray.”
Searcy Fire Chief Brian Dunavan, Searcy Police Chief Steve Hernandez, Harding student Enrique Reyes, Harding Academy fifth grader Charlie Sexton and others from different walks of life in the community were part of a reading of the prayer “Do It Again, Lord” by Max Lucado, who wrote the prayer following the attacks.
Members of the Searcy Ministerial Alliance also said prayers surrounding the seven pillars of remembrance: grief, courage, unity, faith, justice, hope and commission.
“Tonight was a special opportunity to come together as a community and focus on unity,” said Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner. “The tragic events of September 11 are forever etched in the memories of those who experienced them, but what rose above terror was the very best of humanity. Through grief and remembrance, we reflected on the courage of the American spirit, the resilience of a national and the bravery of so many who ran to help others.”
The night was bookended by the White County Community Band playing the national anthem and renditions of “American Flourish” and “America the Beautiful” to close out the evening.
“We were also reminded of the importance of pausing to recognize our dependence on God,” said Faulker. “I’m thankful for Harding University and the Searcy Ministerial Alliance for bringing our community together tonight to remember, to pray and to remind us that it shouldn’t take a tragedy to bring us together.”
Information for 
