A quarter-century ago, our world changed drastically.
The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were a coordinated operation in which terrorists seized control of four commercial airliners. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, while a third struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania.
The attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, taking the lives of nearly 3,000 people and forever reshaping how people in our country view their safety and their place in the world.
The attacks also reshaped the way people travel around the U.S. and the world, with strict security protocols for boarding passenger jets.
In the midst of this unfathomable tragedy, there were also stories of inspiration. People whose lives, communities and country were being torn asunder turned to their fellow humans and offered solace and help. It was a time of reckoning, to be sure.
But it was also a time when the bonds among communities were forged, when strangers stopped to talk and share stories.
And perhaps we were most inspired by the men and women who, serving as firefighters, paramedics and police officers, went running toward the tragedy even as thousands of others were understandably doing the opposite.
Not yet understanding what had happened—and what would eventually happen to the towers—these brave souls entered the stricken buildings and climbed numerous flights of stairs in hopes of rescuing the victims.
A total of 343 firefighters died when the towers collapsed.
And so it is that every year our community looks back on that day with unspeakable sadness, but also with the knowledge that we live in communities where neighbors are willing to help each other during times of tragedy, and where teams of people are willing to risk their lives to keep us safe.
In Watsonville, Moreland Notre Dame School students and staff paid tribute and gave thanks Friday to Watsonville police and firefighters during an annual ceremony recognizing the lives lost, including scores of firefighters and other emergency responders in the attacks.
More than 25,000 people were injured, and many suffered long-term health issues from the fallout of the collapsing buildings and fires. Officials reported more than $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.
“On that day, many Americans lost their lives in an act of violence,” Principal Cathy Mottau told the gathering. “Among those who died were many firefighters, police officers, and other first responders who bravely ran toward the danger to help others.”
The school began the tribute the year after the attacks, launching what would become the annual First Responders Prayer Service.
“On this 25th anniversary of this day, we will take a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives, and then pray for the first responders who continue to serve us each day,” Mottau said.
Meanwhile, at Seacliff State Beach, scores of emergency workers and family members from around the Central Coast scaled the lengthy staircase in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The memorial event is meant to represent the 110 floors first responders climbed in the Twin Towers.
As the crowd marched up and down the 101 steps for 13 loops, some toting heavy firefighting gear, Jay Salter, garbed in traditional Scottish attire, played bagpipes for the duration of the event.
Upon completing the stair climb, retired Cal Fire Assistant Region Chief Jake Hess said, “It’s the feeling of camaraderie and also it’s really solemn to try to put yourself in the shoes of the firefighters that were entering that building. So I think just the exercise and the heat—it really brings home what these first responders went through. It’s incredible.”
Firefighter/EMT Isabella Drake of the San Jose Fire Department also completed the climb.
“It’s awesome to see this community come out and celebrate and memorialize what happened on 9/11,” she said. “It feels amazing; it’s just like the fire service, giant family, giant community. And it’s awesome to see so many people from different walks of life, different departments, and different agencies, but we all feel like one when we come out and celebrate. That’s beautiful.”
The event was hosted by Central Fire. It wrapped up with a giant outdoor barbecue lunch headed up by retired Watsonville Fire Capt. Matt Ryan and his brother, retired Division Chief Rob Ryan.
