Cry for America held in Perry

Officials from throughout Houston County, along with about 125 people, showed up Friday at the Old Houston County Courthouse in Perry to indulge in prayer. A lot of prayer.

This was the first-ever ‘Cry Out America’ event held in Houston County, said coordinator Emily Dennis. The event commemorates the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001.

Speaker after speaker exhorted those attending to make a commitment to pray for the country and its leaders.

The Warner Robins High School Air Force Jr. ROTC presented the colors to open the event, followed by Perry Mayor Jimmy Faircloth leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

A group of first responders was called up, and Lt. Col. Michael Barrett reminded the crowd who they were.

“Look at these men. They are not nameless. They’re your family, your neighbors, and they’re taking care of us,” Barrett said.

Robert Jones of the Perry City Council read Gov. Nathan Deal’s proclamation declaring Sept. 11 as Patriot Day in Georgia. Dennis then called on those present to stand up and stretch their arms out to the first responders and “pray they be strengthened with peace, not fear.”

Mike Lyons of Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins asked for prayer to “help us be a people so loving but anchored in truth and love.”

Prayers were offered by guest speakers on the topics of personal renewal, government, church and ministry organizations, the military, family, education, the media, business and the peace of Jerusalem.

Speakers included Jodi Zammitt, District Attorney George Hartwig, Pastor Toni Hart, Lionel Brown, Pastor Andy Cook, Pat Braski and Janie Brown.

Tonya Alexander closed out the hour-long event with a rendition of “God Bless America.”

“It was so inspiring,” said Barb Grabowski of Centerville, “to know people come together.”

“It’s just wonderful to know this is strong in Houston County,” said Warner Robins Police Chief Brett Evans.

HHJ News