Firefighters Josh Mitchell and Callum Hastings salute the American flag they raised above Agawam’s 9/11 memorial.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
AGAWAM — Dozens of Agawam residents, including members of the City Council, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga and Rev. Stephen Thee, pastor of Bethany Assembly of God, gathered at the Fire Department Headquarter to mark 25 years since terrorists hijacked four passenger airplanes and flew them into each tower of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.
“We learned a lot on 9/11,” Mayor Christopher Johnson said. We learned the world was not quite as safe as we thought it was. We learned that we had to change the ways we thought about protecting our country. But most importantly, we learned just how brave our firefighters and our police officers were in rescuing those who were injured on that day.”
Johnson reflected on the fact that the United States has been in a nearly perpetual state of war since 2001, in Iraq, Afghanistan and, most recently, Iran. He said it is the hard work and bravery of veterans, including those who had not yet been born on 9/11, that has kept the country free.
“The most important thing we have to do moving forward is keep this alive,” Johnson said. “To keep the feeling of togetherness that we have as a country alive and to make sure that those people that weren’t here 25 years ago, which is a third of our population in the United States … to make sure they understood what happened on 9/11, to make sure they don’t forget it, so that we can remain the greatest country on earth.”
Firefighters Josh Mitchell and Callum Hastings raised the American flag above the 9/11 memorial, which was designed by City Councilor George Bitzas in the weeks after the tragedy and dedicated on Sept. 11, 2002. Two 12-inch-square stone columns rise 76 inches, matching the scale of the twin towers. At the base, a plaque reads, “Let it be known to the world, united we stand, one nation under God, for liberty and justice for all.”
Fire Chief Alan Sirois spoke on the significance of the anniversary. “Twenty-five years. A quarter of a century since 2,977 people were killed on a clear Tuesday morning in September. Among them, 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers and eight EMS providers who all climbed the stairs when everyone else was running down.”
The chief recalled that he had been on the job for just 72 days when the attack occurred. “Most of what I know about this job I learned in a world that that morning created,” he said. Sirois noted that the number of firefighters who worked with him then is shrinking, and soon there will be none left. He said that represents a deadline.
“Because there’s a difference between history and memory. History is durable. It’s written down, taught, archived and always available to anyone who goes to look for it,” Sirois said. “Memories are fragile. Memory lives in people and people leave.” He said the promise to never forget will soon fall to people who were too young to remember, or not yet alive. He urged people to share their detailed memories with younger generations.
Sirois reminded those gathered that firefighters are still dying from illnesses caused by the chemicals they breathed in at Ground Zero that day. The Fire Department of New York released a report this month, tallying those deaths at nearly 600, while 12,000 have been certified with a medical or mental health condition directly tied to 9/11.
“The rescue lasted one day. The recovery lasted 10 months. The subsequent war in Afghanistan, two decades,” Sirois said. “The bill for all these times and all these incidents being paid for in dollars, blood and souls.”
Firefighter/EMT Nolan Arbuckle struck the ceremonial fire bell with four series of five rings. The tradition, known as striking the four fives, honors firefighters who died in the line of duty. During the bell ringing and the recitation of the firefighter’s prayer, two fire trucks rolled out to answer a call, dropping everything yet again to help those in need.
Top row, from left: The Agawam Fire Department stands outside its headquarters for the 9/11 ceremony. Firefighter/EMT Nolan Arbuckle strikes the four fives, a fire service tradition to recognize a fallen firefighter. Fire Chief Allan Sirois addresses those gathered for the 9/11 ceremony. Bottom: The plaque at the base of Agawam’s 9/11 memorial.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
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