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Take the Day Back Salute to My 9/11 Hero Brother: Going Home to Jacksonville, AL

  • roywillwrite
  • Aug 10
  • 4 min read
Collage of my hero brother Army Major Dwayne Williams: my mom Pearl Williams children’s memoir “A Hero Called Fish,”’ Major Williams officer photo, Dwayne’s Jacksonville High School Senior photo, Dwayne playing football at University of North Alabama
Collage of my hero brother Army Major Dwayne Williams: my mom Pearl Williams children’s memoir “A Hero Called Fish,”’ Major Williams officer photo, Dwayne’s Jacksonville High School Senior photo, Dwayne playing football at University of North Alabama

Written by Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams-Birmingham, Ala.

Today, August 10, was one of those days when the past, present and future all came together. My Take the Day Back Williams Legacy campaign took another major step forward as I prepare for the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony honoring my brother, Army Major Dwayne Williams, which I will host at 11 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at Dwayne’s Pentagon Memorial in historic Jacksonville City Cemetery.


And today, I went back home.

My first stop was to see my 84-year-old mother, Pearl Williams, at her nursing home in Anniston. Mom has been there for four years battling Alzheimer’s and is now bedridden.


She was pretty quiet today, but happy to see me. ❤️


I met Mom’s new roommate, a really sweet lady who is sharp and funny but has been unable to walk since suffering a stroke 11 years ago. She has experienced tremendous loss herself, losing two sons to heart problems about 18 months apart at ages 57 and 58. She understands some of the pain my mom has experienced, and they seem to have formed a special bond.

From there, I headed to my alma mater, Jacksonville State University, where I met with LTC Eddie Walker of JSU Army ROTC.


LTC Walker will be the keynote speaker at my September 11 tribute honoring Dwayne.


He is also coordinating a special 2026 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at JSU on September 11. JSU Army ROTC and members of the JSU Police Department will climb 110 floors in tribute to the victims of 9/11.


Support the Stair Climb and Major Dwayne Williams Memorial Scholarship:



Every registration, donation and act of support helps keep the memory and legacy of Dwayne Williams alive.And there is an especially meaningful connection to Dwayne.

Register for the Stair Climb:



T-shirts for the stair climb are being sold for $20, with proceeds benefiting the Major Dwayne Williams Memorial Scholarshipat Jacksonville State University. That scholarship was established by my mother to help Jacksonville High School students attend JSU.


That is what I mean when I talk about taking the day back.


For the past two years, I held free Take the Day Back 9/11 concerts in the Trussville Entertainment District, using music—including Elvis and Aretha tribute artists—to celebrate Dwayne’s life while accepting donations to help fund a bronze bust in his honor.


That dream became reality when I dedicated and unveiled Dwayne’s bronze bust on Memorial Day 2026 at the Alabama Fallen Warriors Monument in Trussville.


This year, I’m taking the day back by going back to where the Williams legacy began — Jacksonville.


And I didn’t stop at JSU.


I went back to the new location of our Alma mater, Jacksonville High School.


I visited our old home where the Williams family grew up in the Eastwood community and met the man who lives there now.



I visited Dwayne’s Pentagon Memorial in the Historic Jacksonville City Cemetery.


And I visited our father Horace’s grave.


It was an emotional day.


So many memories.


So much history.


So much loss.


But also so much pride at the lives Dwayne continues to touch 25 years after dying on 9/11.


His legacy lives on in his family’s vow to never let people forget.

Through a book written by his mother Pearl (“A Hero Called Fish”)


Through a memoir tribute to Dwayne written by me called “911 God Help Us: A Journalist’s Tale of Faith”


Dwayne has two scholarships in his name benefiting students at Jacksonville State and at his alma mater University of North Alabama.



He also has buildings named after him at The army officer training school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas & at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.


Dwayne was more than an Army Major killed at the Pentagon.


He was my big brother.


He was a son.


He was a football player.


He was a teammate.


He was a friend.


He was a Jacksonville hometown boy.


And he was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.


Twenty-five years later, I’m determined to make sure his story isn’t forgotten.


This year, I’m not just remembering September 11. I’m taking the day back.


And I’m taking it back by going home.


🇺🇸 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

On Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11 a.m., Take the Day Back will host a special 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony honoring the legacy of Army Major Dwayne Williams.

📍 Major Dwayne Williams Pentagon Memorial


Just inside the entrance of Historic Jacksonville City Cemetery


Corner of Church Street & James Street


Jacksonville, Alabama

The ceremony will bring together family, friends, veterans, Jacksonville community members and Jacksonville State University ROTC to remember Dwayne and honor the sacrifice of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.


🇺🇸 Army Major Dwayne Williams — 25 years later, your hometown still remembers you.


9/11 Memorial Stair Climb


If you’re in the Jacksonville area, consider participating in the 2026 JSU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.


Register for the Stair Climb:



Support the Stair Climb and Major Dwayne Williams Memorial Scholarship:



Every registration, donation and act of support helps keep the memory and legacy of Dwayne Williams alive.


25 years later —- we remember, we honor Dwayne and we carry the legacy forward.




 
 
 

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