Sailors, veterans, and Natchez city leaders conducted a solemn ceremony at Natchez National Cemetery to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

Natchez National Cemetery, which overlooks the Mississippi River, was established in 1866 and has more than 8,000 internments to include a Medal of Honor recipient, Landsman Wilson Brown, who served on board Adm. David Farragut's Flagship, USS Hartford.

The ceremony at the national cemetery was held to reflect and remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the nation's worst terrorist attack on American soil.

Retired Army Maj. Sonjagela Johnson, Natchez Adams County Veteran Services Officer, helped coordinate the ceremony and reflected on how it brought back many memories of her service and of those she lost.

"Today's ceremony brings back a lot of memories, for me," said Johnson. "Freedom is not free."

Travis Patten, sheriff of Adams County in Natchez, who left the Navy in 2000 after serving three years on active duty reflected on the importance of remembering the first responders, police officers and firefighters who gave their lives to save so many others.

"For us 9/11 was the most tragic event of our generation, and to have my brother and sisters honored during this ceremony is remarkable," said Patten, who was elected sheriff of Natchez on Jan. 4, 2016. Patten credits his time spent in the Navy to prepare him for a career in law enforcement.

"The Navy gave me a sense of responsibility and gave me everything I needed to become the sheriff of Natchez," said Patten.

Rodney Violette, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and now serves as the commander of the Mississippi-Louisiana Veterans Coalition Honor Guard participated in the ceremony.

"Our Honor Guard's motto is honor, dignity, respect and sacrifice," said Violette. "All of our members have honor, every one has respect and provides dignity to the families who have sacrificed."

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Roger Jones, assigned to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, and Violette, folded an ensign during the ceremony and presented it to Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell.

Grennell provided brief remarks during the ceremony emphasizing the shared impact of 9/11.

"Today is a very important day, and never shall we forget what happened 15 years ago," said Grennell.

A candle lighting ceremony was held to honor the tower of light in New York City. More than 80 Sailors and U.S. Navy civilians will participate in Natchez Navy Week, Sept. 11-14. While in Natchez, members of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and the Navy Band Southeast will showcase America's sea service and give American citizens a greater understanding of the U.S. Navy and its capabilities.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit www.navy.mil/.