At precisely 8:43 a.m. Sunday, the chime of a bell filled the air at the Aurora Police Station’s memorial for fallen police officers, marking the moment when the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center’s north tower 15 years before.
Dozens of people gathered Sunday morning to remember those who died during the terror attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
“There are times in almost everyone’s life when they remember exactly where they were when something happened,” said Aurora Police Cmdr. Keith Cross. “I think we can all agree that Sept. 11 is one of those times.”
The 40-minute ceremony included a memorial to the approximately 2,600 civilian victims of the attacks, but also focused on the 403 firefighters and police officers who lost their lives while rescuing trapped and injured people.
“As first responders, we know all too well the scenario of getting up in the morning and going to work, but never coming home,” Cross observed.
Firefighting experience made watching the tragedy unfold even more painful, stated Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz.
“I was in the station when it happened, and I recall how everything stopped that morning,” he said. “As firefighters, we all knew that our brothers and sisters were in those buildings as they were falling down.”
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said police officers also held their New York compatriots close to their hearts that day – and that they still do.
“We know their souls and we draw strength from them as we continue to hold the line,” she asserted.
Krienitz noted that communities all over the world were holding 9/11 memorial ceremonies Sunday.
“We think that we were the only country affected by the attacks, but 115 nations lost lives that day,” he said. “There are memorials in England, Israel, Italy, China and many other countries.”
Cross asserted that the attacks did not achieve the terrorists’ goal of fracturing the United States.
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“Never have I seen this country so united in the fight to preserve our freedoms,” he said.
After the ceremony closed with the sound of a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” while walking into the distance, several area leaders stayed behind to discuss the need to keep 9/11 victims’ memories alive.
“We have kids in their teens today who hadn’t been born when the attacks happened. We have to instill in them the desire to revere and honor the sacrifices the victims made for our country,” said state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego).
“Remembering 9/11 saddens me, but I don’t want to forget and I hope we as a nation never forget,” stated Aurora 1st Ward Alderman Tina Bohman.
Denise Linke is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News