09/10/2026
25 YEARS LATER — WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Twenty-five years ago, at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, America changed forever.
On that morning, our nation suffered the deadliest terrorist attack in our history.
Four commercial aircraft were hijacked. Two struck the World Trade Center in New York City, one struck the Pentagon, and a fourth — United Airlines Flight 93 — crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after courageous passengers and crew fought back.
By the end of that horrific morning, 2,977 innocent people had been killed.
Among those lost were 343 FDNY firefighters, 37 Port Authority Police officers, and 23 NYPD officers. In total, 441 first responders from more than 30 agencies made the ultimate sacrifice that day.
For those of us in the fire service, September 11th carries a special meaning.
We remember the firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders who answered the call that morning. They climbed the stairs while thousands were coming down. They entered buildings knowing the danger, because there were people inside who needed them.
They did what first responders have always done.
They went toward the danger.
Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor their courage, their service, and their sacrifice.
We also remember the thousands of responders who worked at Ground Zero and the other attack sites in the days and months that followed — including those who later became sick or lost their lives because of illnesses connected to their service.
We remember the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who fought back.
We remember the families who lost loved ones.
And we remember the way our country came together in the days following September 11th.
An entire generation has now grown up without a personal memory of that morning. It is our responsibility to make sure their names, their stories, and their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Today, the members of the Seymour Fire Department pause to remember the 2,977 lives taken from us on September 11, 2001.
We especially remember our 343 brothers and Sisters from the FDNY who answered their final alarm.
Their courage represents the very foundation of the fire service:
Duty. Honor. Courage. Brotherhood. Sacrifice.
May we never forget those we lost.
May we never forget those who ran toward the danger.
May we never forget the families left behind.
And may we never forget what our nation looked like when we stood together as Americans.
Twenty-five years later, we remember.
Twenty-five years later, we honor them.
Twenty-five years later, we will NEVER FORGET.
9 • 11 • 2001
Seymour Fire Department
