Pine Bluff honors Navy Officer Nehamon Lyons who was killed at the Pentagon on 9/11

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The City of Pine Bluff held its annual 9/11 Remembrance ceremony to honor Navy Petty Officer Nehamon Lyons who was killed while on duty at the Pentagon.

Wednesday marks 23 years since the 9/11 terrorist attack that killed thousands. Many officials in the crowd spoke about how strong the country came together in the wake of the tragedy.

“This loss as profound as it was did not break the soul of our nation, it made us stronger,” said Colonel Collin Keenan, Commander of the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Lyons was assigned to the Pentagon in 2001 as the Operations Specialist and was among the lives lost when a plane crashed into the building. His legacy will never be forgotten by those who knew him like his classmate at Dollarway High School Tara Tyler-Woods.

“He gave the ultimate sacrifice.” Tyler-Woods said.

She said she remembers how he was in high school.

“Nehamon had a certain charm that would draw people in,” she said. “He was highly intelligent; he was in the national honor society and the band.”

Lyons’ former teacher Linda London Simmons remembers his character in the classroom.

“We often talked about having a spirit of excellence. I had that conversation with him many times as a student, so I saw that carry over in his career,” Simmons said.

Both say they’re honored to have known him and will continue to honor him.

Many city leaders and military officials at the event asked the crowd to take a moment to remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor them.

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