9.11.2024 - 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

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last for of a fire department firefighter mik Aruda to step forward Fall River fire department retired that is to step forward to explain the Striking of the four fivs

the Striking of the four fives the fire service is Rich with ceremonial customs and traditions our customs of rendering final honors has its origin in the fire department of the city of New York where many years ago long before the Advent of radios and pages fire alarms and daily announcements were dispatched from Central headquarters to outlying firehouses by a system of bells and

telegraphs each different type of alarm or announcement would have its own number and series of bell strikes when a firefighter died in the line of duty or when some important official or personage died headquarters would transmit Five Bell strikes repeated in four series with a slight pause between each series followed by the announcement this was done as long as 1865 in the New

York City Fire Department to inform the rank and file of the death of Abraham Lincoln the custom has continued to the present day in this form of rendering final honors to departed comrades is known in the fire service as the Striking of the four fives strike the four FS strike the four FS for

thank thank you Mike can we all please join richel or posit in the singing of the national

anthem can you see by the dawn earthy light what so proudly we hate at the Twilight last ging who BR stripes and bright stars through the bar or the r parts we watch were so gly streaming and and the rockets wck the bombs bursting in air gave Bru through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that star spangle and are yet W for the land of the free and the home of the

brave thank you very much Rachel that was beautiful next father Mike Rim will deliver the

invocation thank you for your presence here this morning to our firefighters our police officers and our young people from our schools good to see you here as well and we gather on this sacred day as we commemorate this 23rd anniversary the 911 attacks on our country we recall that beautiful morning that turned tragic and deadly and painful in such a short time 23 years later we remember that day

of pain and sorrow and the words that Echo so often we never forget we remember all of the heroes of that day the firefighters and First Responders who demonstrated without fear the trembling Act of courage during crisis we remember the Innocents who perished friends and family and neighbors and thousands of names that are read this day we particularly remember on this day victim

001 Father Michael judge the chaplain of the New York City Fire Department the first certified fatality 23 years later We Gather to remember to comfort and to reflect and to be a people of hope during these days that follow we continue to pray for peace to be the beacons of light just as those rays of light that shine in New York tonight strengthen the hands of those who defend our country our common values

of freedom justice and peace Inspire our leaders of cities and our nation to act wisely to always pursue and to enact at Peace by word and example beow upon all today and every day your blessings and may we live to see the words be converted into plowshares and Nations not learn from war anymore continue to bless our firefighters our EMTs our police our Armed Forces grant them safety each day

amen thank you Father um before we get into the Slate of of speakers this morning I want to acknowledge uh all the help that we get every year to to manage this ceremony rather than mention everyone individually because I'm sure to forget someone I do want to acknowledge and thank the public safety officials um from F River and elsewhere that that contribute to this ceremony year after year after year um it's it's

a lot of work for everyone and we surely appreciate it we wouldn't be able to do without them and of course it's for them um but there is one person you can refer to your program booklet which identifies hopefully everyone we did forget one person I want to acknowledge specifically which would be firefighter fer firefighter Jeff mados who comes here every year on his own time to make

repairs for the bronze plaques that are behind us that are cast from bronze they're painted with some sort of enamel that at this point 23 years later you know comes off once in a while so we really appreciate his work in doing that um my name is Chris nardy I'm the Chief Operating Officer here and we'll start with the with the Slate of speakers we'll start with Senator Rodricks

good morning everyone um so great to see everyone to my colleagues in government representative Paul Schmid and representative alen Sylvia and city council Linda Pereira thank you all for joining me and joining us as we will never forget and we continue to remember those Brave acts by our first responders 23 years ago it was a beautiful day like this on September 11th 2001 and I was

actually Outdoors helping a friend when I got a phone call from my son who said dad you're not going to believe what's happening the world a plane hit the World Trade Center and I like most of us spent what seemed like the remaining month but certainly the remaining week just glued to our television sets as we saw over and over again the brave self actions of our First Responders of our

police of our fire of our emergency Personnel running into the horror and the terror while thousands of people were running away and fleeing the horror and Terror so I am honored to be here today joining our First Responders and saying that I shall never forget we shall never forget Fall River shall never forget and the United States of America shall never foret forget thank

you thank you Senator Fall River mayor Paul Coogan first of all I want to thank everybody for giving us some time this morning for this very special memorial service it it was 23 years ago I was a vice principal at talber Middle School at the time and for some of us that have spent our life in public service it will always be remembered as a special special moment in time that we'll never

forget I look at these kids at the in the front row they weren't even born then now so as time passes on the memory of this event May fade for some people but for most of us it won't between the firemen the police the medical personnel the military people and the 3,000 lives that were lost Lo that day it will be forever seared in our memory and that's why we do ceremonies like this so we

don't forget and Fall River has a very special place for people that make the ultimate sacrifice to honor and we honor them on a day like this again I appreciate everybody for coming out and please keep the hearts and minds of the families of 911 in your prayers today thank you for a Fire Department chief Jeffrey

bacon ladies and gentlemen honored guests members of the community Today We Gather to reflect on the tragic events of September 11th 2001 as a chief of the for fire department I stand before you with a deep sense of respect and solemnity despite not having been a firefighter on that fateful day like many of you I remember 911 as the first where were you when this happened moment of my life for

me the legacy of 911 lies in the continued bravery sacrifice and resilience that Define the Fall River fire department and the city's Public Safety Community September 11th has etched into our Collective memory not only for the immense loss it brought but also for the extraordinary acts of heroism that emerged we remember the courageous firefighters EMS providers police officers and

emergency responders who rushed into danger the selfless acts of Valor and the countless lives that were forever changed though I was not in uniform on September 11th the principles that guide our work commitment courage and compassion are Timeless these values were exemplified by those who stood on the front lines that day and to continue to inspire us in our service today we must also the honor the

memory of those who have been lost in the Years following September 11th countless First Responders have succumbed to illnesses such as cancer and other health issues linked to their service on that day their courage and sacrifice remind us of the Hidden battles many First Responders face and Inspire us to continue advancing our approach to health and Ness additionally we remember those who

have faced mental health challenges stemming from this tragedy The Bravery they show in seeking help and the resilience they demonstrate in confronting their struggles highlight the profound personal cost of Public Service their stories emphasize the importance of comprehensive support systems and the need for ongoing dialogue about mental health in our Public Safety communities

in the immediate aftermath of September 11th I remember being awed by the overwhelming sense of community that emerged despite unimaginable tragedy people came together neighbors reached out to one another strangers became friends and entire communities banded together to support those in need this Collective response was not just about practical support it was a testament to our shared human connection and and an

expression of our common Humanity I witnessed an outpouring of generosity and compassion that transcended barriers in divisions people donated blood organized fundraisers offered shelter and volunteered their time in the face of adversity the barriers that often divide us whether socioeconomic racial or ideological seem to fade away what emerged was a powerful reminder of our shared values and the

strength we can find in unity the sense of community that emerged should serve as a vital lesson for us today in this time of division and challenge we can look back at the resilience and solidarity of those days as a guide we are reminded that our strength lies in not our individual achievements but in the collective efforts and our ability to support one another it's in these moments of shared

purpose and mutual Aid that we find our true strength as a society let the legacy of 9/11 be the lesson that Unity is not just for times of Crisis it is something we can and should cultivate in our everyday lives building a stronger more compassionate Community requires an effort and commitment to connect with others remembering that often times the most meaningful connections are made with people who are

different from us it involves reaching out to those in need standing up for what is right and fostering understanding and empathy in in our daily interactions as we commemorate this day let us renew our commitment to embracing the values of unity and compassion let us strive to create and nurture a community where we support one another facing challenges together and celebrating our shared hum Humanity the

lessons from September 11th remind us that even in our Darkest Hours there is light found in our Collective spirit and Power in our Unity today as we reflect on the countless sacrifices made on 9/11 let us pledge to honor their memory through our actions let us commit to upholding the values of service and solidarity ensuring that no one is Left To Face their struggles alone and working to

build a community where compassion and support are Paramount in closing let us hold in our hearts the memory of those who have died both on that fateful day and the years since May we honor honor that Legacy by continuing to work together embracing unity and compassion and dedicating ourselves to the principles that strengthen our community Thank

You Fall River Police Chief Paul

Garin good morning today marks a solemn day in our nation's history a day that changed us forever it was a day of un imaginable loss but also of remarkable unity in the face of tragedy we stood together Bound by our Shar strength and resilience As Americans in the days following the attacks we saw something profound strangers helping strangers communities opening their hearts to one another people were gentler

Kindler United by a sheared sense of humanity and purpose it was a time when differences faded and What mattered most was the love and care we showed for each other as we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice our brave First Responders innocent civilians and all those who lost their lives we honor them by living the values that emerged from that dark day let us be reminded that the spirit of

unity and compassion is not just for times of Crisis but for every day may we continue to be gentler and Kindler not just for ourselves but as a living tribute to those who gave everything for the ideals that we hold dear As Americans their legacy calls on us to rise above the division and embrace the simple but powerful truth that we are stronger together thank you and may we never

forget our guest speaker today is Colonel Jonathan bot from the naval war College he is a professor there as well as the United States Air Force 21y old excuse me you 21 still I hope 21y year US Air for us veteran Chris you're only as old as you feel so uh I pretty close 21 uh I want to say thank you very much for the host here at Battleship Cove for this uh

Memorial event it's this event and continue to Showcase what it takes to protect this nation and our worthwhile experimenting Freedom that are ever so important ladies and gentlemen 23 years ago today almost exactly terrorists killed 2,977 people from 90 Nations 2,753 people in New York 184 in the Pentagon and 40 on flight 93 in Pennsylvania the enduring Legacy of that day impacted not just our nation but the world

more importantly it impacted individual people and I don't just mean the lives that were lost that day but lives permanently Changed by the loss of loved ones by the Lost sense of security by the Lost Innocence and sense of peace that seemed so common during the postc Cold War peace dividend Pew research found that 93% of adults over can remember exactly where they were when those attacks

happened you've heard some examples up here today as those flights were departing Logan Airport I was on the other side of Boston as a senior RC Cadet and I remember standing in our Detachment watching as an aircraft hit the South Tower at 903 I remember rapidly seeking out other Cadets to have them changed out of uniform because we didn't understand the extent of the planned attacks facing our

nation and I remember the words of our commander later that day when he told us that freedom invites Challenge from evil men and that challenge requires Warriors to defend it words that stuck with me over the Skies of Afghanistan and the Middle East and Africa many years later later but I also remember a friend and fellow EMT leaving the very next morning for New York to help search for and

treat wounded in whatever way he can I remember being surrounded by fellow Americans and others in Marsh Chapel praying for peace and justice but we don't remember and we don't honor evil on this day but instead we honor the response to it the brave passengers of Flight 93 who in protection of fellow Americans said let's Roll the heroic firefighters who charged up the North and South

Towers knowing full well that it may be their last in order to save as many as they can the dedicated First Responders who tirelessly searched for survivors and treated all those that they could and the commitment of fellow Americans across our nation and the world that day to respond and rebuild better than we did before we say never forget but that means remember remembering both the loss

and remembering what we can accomplish together as one nation under God God the recent events in Ukraine show us that no matter how utopian we want the world to be there will always be bad actors out there willing to Reign tyranny and oppression and like the quote etched into the Jefferson Memorial I have sworn Eternal hostility upon the altar of God against all forms of tyranny over the minds of

men we need Americans who will stand in the breach shoulder-to-shoulder against the next threat Americans willing to make a difference in the competition of ideas proving that this nation of the People by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth as Lincoln once said but instead be proven an example worth following an experiment in Liberty worth pursuing whether with a knife in your

teeth or a pin in your hand and every everything in between we need to work together in service to something greater than ourselves we are challenged this day to think of ourselves in a greater context perhaps as an American first rather than falling into societal pressures to think of ourselves first or as part of a smaller tribe or associating only with a particular political party or a particular

organization or a particular label but instead we are meant for so much more the preamble to our constitution reminds us of this it says we the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union establish justice ensure domestic tranquility provide for the common defense promote general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this

constitution of the United States when it says in order to form a more perfect union it does not state that that Union is perfect now it does not state that it was prot perfected when our nation was founded 248 years ago nor have we perfected in those years since that perfect union envisioned by our founding fathers is not here and the work is far from done it requires us to serve that

purpose again today you can serve the Hope founded in the promise of our of America The Unfinished work of forming that more perfect union and the hope of a better future so you right now in whatever role that you find yourself in whether is a first responder an educator a public servant a researcher an advocate a volunteer in your community or religious organization or a neighbor you know the

calling and you know the impact that you can have serve something greater than yourself borrowing from the great preacher John Wesley serve in every way you can everywhere you can to everyone you can for as long as you can for that's what our perfect union requires and what our communities need on that fateful day 23 years ago President Bush said that our fellow citizens our way of life and our very

freedoms came under attack he went on to remind us that a great people had been moved moved to defend a great nation and many of you here today are those who stood in the breach shoulder-to-shoulder with your fellow Americans to say never again and never forget America was targeted because we were the brightest Beacon of freedom and opportunity in the world and I pray to God that that Beacon is never ex

extinguished regardless of the evil in the Fallen World around us on that day Americans from every Walk of Life United in our resolve for justice and peace and as we remember them may we remind our may we REM be remain re United in those same Pursuits today and every day thank you God Bless America thank you Colonel um before we continue I just wanted a couple acknowledgements I want to mention that

I neglected to do earlier um part of our delegation here uh representative Paul Schmidt and representative Alan Sylvia and also to my right uh retired New Bedford fire chief Roger NAU who I think it's been probably the fifth year he's brought his uh his engine here and if you have a few moments after the ceremony uh he'd be glad to interpret the uh Memorial that's on the the side Walker there on on the right hand the

passenger side of the

truck our last speaker will be or for the time being um father Rob NE neich from the the chaplain of the F of a police department good morning as we recall the horrific events of September 11th 2001 remembering the 343 firefighters 72 police officers eight EMT and paramedics a part of the 2,977 innocent lives lost I'd like to share with you a poetic reflection so that we will never forget the sacrifice

of our First Responders that day let the world always remember that faithful day in September and the ones who answer Duty's call should be remembered and honored by us all our paramedics police and firefighters always there for the needs of others left the comfort of their home to face perils yet unknown an embodiment of goodness on a day when evil Hearts had gone astray they never questioned what

they had to do but rather ran into hell to save as many as they could who by example were a source of Hope and strength to others who could not cope Heroes that would not turn their back with determin nation that would not crack who bound together in their ranks and asking not a word of thanks First Responders who bravely gave their lives whose orphaned kids and widowed wives can proudly look back on their mom and

dad who gave this country all they had actions taken without regret heroism we shall never forget to the ones who paid the ultimate price let us never forget their sacrifice Lord as we honor their memory here those who gave their life for all that we hold dear May their memory never Wayne so that their sacrifice will not be in vain

ask representatives of Public Safety who choose to carry the wreath please step

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very good boys thank you

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thank you very much to Cassandra and the gun crew aboard the battleship

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guard and caner Richard Walberg for the benediction where were you on 911 this question has become part of the fabric of Our Lives As Americans what a tragically defining moment in history there is nobody alive then who doesn't remember where he or she was between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. though you were not on United Airlines flight 17 75 out of Boston and though you weren't on American Airlines

flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon and though most likely you weren't in the World Trade Center you nevertheless will always feel a very strong connection to those Poor Unfortunate Souls 23 years and a day ago September 10th we all felt secure but our myth of security was shattered one day after 23 years ago life plays tricks on us and if we don't fight terrorism anywhere we will find terrorism

everywhere Winston Churchill in 1948 quoting George S santiana said those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it we are living in perilous times and must do everything to prevent future catastrophes I believe in the sun even when it is not shining I believe in love even when feeling it not I believe in good even when evil is all around I believe in peace even when terrorism

abounds I believe in God even when God is silent may the blessings of Peace decency and humility Infuse and embrace our Beloved Country and all the world Eternal Wellspring of Peace may we as well as the enemy be drenched with the longing for peace that we all May give ourselves over to peace until the Earth overflows with peace as Living Waters overflow the Seas may the blessings of

compassion understanding and benevolence spread out and permeate the air we breathe may it clasp to our bosom and unite our beloved and venerated country with the whole world and let us never forget united we stand divided we fall amen L 91

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thank you to the two bills for the uh dubs and the uh R rendition of Amazing Grace this concludes our ceremony I would ask the honor guard to retire the colors

I get for