(Seguin) — The Seguin Fire/EMS Department is inviting the community to remember the sacrifices and tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001. The department will again be hosting its annual 9/11 Memorial ceremony on Sunday morning outside of the Central Fire Station.
Fire Chief Dale Skinner says it’s important that they pause, sound a bell and remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist’s attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people that day.
“We don’t want to take up anybody’s time and we just want to take a few moments to memorialize those who lost their lives that day 21 years ago. The whole ceremony will last approximately 15 minutes. It’s just a way that the fire department as well as the community can come together and just remember and reflect and go about their day,” said Skinner.
Although 21 years ago, the events of that day are still pretty vivid for most Americans. He says this is especially true for firefighters including those at the Seguin Fire Department.
“For those of us that were in the service back in 2001, it is like if the event happened last week. It is still in the back of our minds and we just don’t want to forget and so it is my mission as fire chief to ensure that we continue our tradition of honoring those firefighters and civilians that were lost on that day for as long as I’m fire chief,” said Skinner.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the worst terror attack on U.S. soil. Nineteen men hijacked four planes in a coordinated attack. Two planes were slammed into the World Trade Center, causing the massive Twin Towers to collapse and change the New York City skyline forever. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon, while the fourth went down in Pennsylvania after the passengers on board revolted against their hijackers. The attack was traced to the terrorist group al-Qaeda, which led to the war in Afghanistan, and eventually to the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.
Meanwhile, the Seguin Police Department and the Seguin Fire/EMS Department earlier this week were forced to cancel its 9/11 Bleacher Climb at Matador Stadium. Organizers say the cancellation was due to a scheduling conflict. Although things didn’t work out this year, organizers say perhaps they can entertain the idea again next year.
The Central Fire Station is located at 110 E. Elm Street.