Tim Anderson stood tall with his American flag at Memorial Park on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“It’s a tough day for people that were directly affected,” he said at Monday’s Freedom Walk in Columbia. “The human suffering was pretty tremendous.”

Anderson and his wife, Sandy, who were living in Virginia at the time of the attacks, stood during the commemorative ceremony listening and reflecting on their lives and those they will never know.

“It’s crazy,” she said. “If you weren’t affected you know someone who knows someone who was.”

About 100 people gathered at the State House and walked to Memorial Park on Washington Street to honor the victims, survivors, families, military and first responders of Sept. 11.

“It’s a fitting tribute to remember our committed and fallen service and public safety members,” said Columbia Mayor Bob Coble. “This should be a day of remembrance for all of us.”

After five years, tears still well up in the eyes of those who think about the 9/11 victims and family members.

“We are here because it’s better than sitting in front of the television crying,” said Liz Mulvihill.

“You have to be mindful that we don’t take things for granted because it is good again,” added her husband, John. “We can’t forget what has happened and that there is endless possibilities of what tomorrow could be.”

Many people were at work when they learned something was wrong at the World Trade Center. Not everyone believed what was unfolding.

“It took a while before I believed it,” said John H. Beard. “I thought it was a commercial or something. I thought that no one could really do that to us.”

“Every time I think about it, it tears out my heart,” said Valerie James, another walker, who was accompanied by her 2-year-old son, Duncan. “I was completely mortified because I had never seen anything like that before.”

There were those who defied the unknown and risked their lives to save others.

“In the face of so much terror, so many Americans rose above fear. They rose above fear to duty,” said Col. Eddie Stevens,garrison commander at Fort Jackson.

People from all walks of life, including first responders and military personnel, rose to the call, he said.

The thought that the United States could see another attack is never far for many.

“It makes me realize that it can happen again,” Beard said. “We are as vulnerable as any place or country.”

Reach Jackson at (803) 771-8512.