09/11/2026
Today marks a solemn day in history for the fire service and for all Americans.
As we reflect on the events of that fateful Tuesday, we remember not only the immense tragedy but also the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice that defines our community. For the young men and women joining our junior firefighting program today, the events of September 11, 2001, are history—having occurred years before they were born. Today’s recruits learn about the collapse of the towers, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville from printed pages and digital archives. They rely on the personal accounts of mentors, instructors, and veterans who carry the vivid, heavy memories of that tragic day and the exhausting months that followed. Despite the generational shift, their commitment to answering the call proves that the core values of the fire service remain entirely timeless. For those of us who lived through it, the weight of that loss is still felt deeply. We didn't hear the sirens wailing outside our own windows, but we sat glued to the television screen, watching the smoke rise and the towers fall, feeling the ground drop out from under our country in real time.
Alongside that profound grief, we also remember the remarkable unity that followed:
A time when America wasn't divided by political lines or daily arguments.
A period when neighbors instinctively checked on neighbors, offering a shoulder to lean on.
A moment in our national story when we stood together simply and proudly as Americans.
Never Forget
Today, let us take time to honor and remember all the lives lost on September 11, the brave first responders who rushed toward danger, and the families whose lives were forever changed in an instant.
"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer." — George S. Patton
May we carry the unity, selflessness, and dedication of that era into our daily lives and our service. Never forget.
