Dawson County first responders honored those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in a solemn ceremony Tuesday morning.
"The ceremony is really about reflection and rememberance. Remembering those men and women, both first responders civillians who woke up that morning, got ready to go to work and never came home. It's really about remembering them and letting people know we didn't forget. We'll never forget. And we'll pick up where you left off and we will continue to carry on," said Fire Chief Danny Thompson.
The ceremony featured two moments of silence to commemorate when the planes hit the Twin Towers and a replaying of the radio transmission from that day.
Thompson addressed the crowd. "The brave men and women of the New York City Fire Department that day put themselves before others, responded to that alarm, knowing many of them probably would not go home," said Thompson. "It is this brave courage that the men and women of public safety exhibit day in and day out, whether you climb on the red truck or get in to a police car. Our armed service veterans make sure we are protected abroad, they fight the wars many don't often support. But they are necessary to ensure the freedom that we all enjoy today."
In addition to rescue personnel, local veterans and community members, a group of elementary school children attended the ceremony. Thompson said had he been able to address the children personally, he would want to instill a sense of patriotism in them. "You try to encourage them to understand what a level of patriotism is and what it means to be patriotic. Why the attacks on our country and the World Trade Centers mean so much to many of us out there. It's kind of like the Pearl Harbor event and the recognizing of Pearl Harbor - one of the most deadliest attacks on our military ever and one of the very few attacks on U.S. soil. So being able to correlate that the younger group and have them understand what the flag represents, the freedom that the service members provide for us day in and day out."
Multiple generations have felt the effects of the terrorist attacks, and not just in New York City. Thompson said it resonated in Dawson County as well. "I think if you reflect back to 9/11, we became, truly, that one country. That's important because it was an attack on every American and everybody came together as one and it just really meant a lot to the first responders," Thompson said. "For weeks afterwards when our guys and ladies were out at restaurants people would come up and say 'Thank you for all that you do, let me buy your meal for you.' And it's those little symbols or a gesture that go so far with our men and women. It just really makes a difference. Lets them know people don't forget about them out there on the front lines."
The ceremony closed with a wreath laying ceremony and the tolling of the bell. Thompson explained the bell was rung five times each, three times to signify a firefighter's last alarm.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/9/711986/photos-dawson-county-ema-honors-lives-lost-on-911