Come pay your respects to those who lost their lives both in the attacks and during the rescues. This solemn event is open to the public. (Photo provided by Carmel Fire Department)
Carmel Police & Fire invite you to 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
By RENEE L. BUTTS
For The Reporter
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, please join the Carmel Fire and Police departments in remembering a moment in our history that forever changed our nation: the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Each year, we gather not simply to revisit the pain of that day, but to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the families forever changed, the first responders who ran toward danger, the bravery of the men and women at the Pentagon, the courage of the passengers of Flight 93, and the countless others who have since suffered as a result of that terrible attack. A 9/11 remembrance ceremony is more than a tradition, it is a vital act of collective memory, unity, and respect.
We host this ceremony because we must never forget.
We must never forget the lives that were taken too soon – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and colleagues – ordinary people whose ordinary day turned extraordinary in the face of tragedy.
We must never forget the heroes – the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, dispatchers, and civilians – who risked and gave their lives to save others, showing us the true meaning of courage and selflessness.
We must never forget the resilience of a nation that, even in its darkest hour, refused to be broken. Instead, we came together across faiths, races, and political beliefs to grieve, to rebuild, and to stand united.
Hosting a 9/11 remembrance ceremony is not only a tribute to those we lost, but a promise to the future. It reminds us to teach younger generations – many of whom were not even born in 2001 – what happened, why it matters, and how we responded as a people. It ensures the lessons of unity, resilience, and compassion endure long beyond our lifetimes.
This ceremony creates a sacred space for reflection, for mourning, for gratitude, and for hope. It reminds us that while we cannot undo the past, we can shape the future with the values we choose to carry forward: unity, vigilance, and courage in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
Please join us. Every year we come together like this, we reaffirm a simple but powerful truth: we remember, and we honor.
Renee L. Butts serves as the Public Information Officer for the Carmel Fire Department.
Photos provided by Carmel Fire Department
