11/09/2026
The terror attacks on September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners hijacked by terrorists and used to attack strategic targets in the United States. American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the World Trade Center while United Airlines Flight 93 was prevented from crashing into either the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House by a passenger revolt, and instead crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Between the crashes in New York and Pennsylvania, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west wall of the Pentagon. Notably, the first firetruck to respond there was also a victim.
On 9/11, three firefighters of the Fort Myer Fire Department were on duty at the Pentagon's heliport. Alan Wallace, Mark Skipper, and Dennis Young were civilian firefighters manning a Titan 4×4 firetruck designated Foam 161. The three men were watching coverage of the attacks in New York on TV when they received a call from their chief putting them on alert; Washington, D.C. was a prime target and they needed to be ready to respond.
At 9:37 AM, Wallace and Skipper were on the right side of Foam 161, prepping the truck. Foam 161's left side was facing the west wall of the Pentagon when UA 77 impacted just 60 metres away. Incredibly, Foam 161 shielded the two firefighters, though they still suffered burns and minor injuries. Young, who was inside the heliport building, also received minor injuries from the crash.
Wallace, who took cover under a van, crawled out and jumped into Foam 161. The truck was equipped to respond to aviation fuel fires at the heliport and needed to be moved away from the burning building if it was going to fight the fire. Unaware that Foam 161 was burning, Wallace started the engine and radioed the Fort Myer fire station for backup. Attempting to move the truck, Wallace stomped on the gas pedal. Outside the truck, Skipper signaled to Wallace to cut the engine. With each press of the gas pedal, fuel was sent to the burning engine and caused the flames on the truck to jump higher.
Realizing the truck was out of commission, the three firefighters recovered what equipment they could and jumped into action fighting the fire and providing aid to survivors.
It's easy to think of September 11th, only in terms of its scale — four aircraft, three buildings, one field in Pennsylvania, thousands of lives changed in the space of a single morning. But scattered inside that scale are stories like this one: three men, a truck, and 60 metres that made all the difference.
Foam 161 never got to fight the fire it was built for that day. In a way, it didn't need to. It had already done its job.
Twenty-five years have passed since that tragic day when nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost, families were forever changed, and the world witnessed unimaginable sorrow.
Today, we remember every person who never made it home, the courageous first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless individuals who offered comfort, hope, and help. Their bravery and sacrifice remind us that even in humanity’s darkest moments, love and unity can still shine.
As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, may we honor the victims by choosing compassion over hatred, peace over violence, and unity over division.
Twenty-five years later, we still remember their names and their stories.
September 11, 2001 — We will never forget
