By Emily Williams
Officials from Hoover gathered in the garage at Fire Station No. 2 the morning of Sept. 11 to pay homage to those who served during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“First responders around the world are holding similar ceremonies as we speak,” said Hoover Fire Department Executive Officer Rusty Lowe, who led the ceremony. “They are sending the message with us that those lives lost on that day will never be forgotten.”
Lowe told the crowd of about 50 people that the purpose of the ceremony was to remember those who were lost, but also to thank the families who “paid the ultimate price” when they lost loved ones during the tragic events of 9/11.
“Numbers are so significant to us,” U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Alabama, said in a speech during the event. “John 3:16, it really says so much more than just a number. December 7, 1941, to our grandparents, our parents – and to some extent – to us, it means a great deal.”
Bachus said his son, a volunteer firefighter, reminded him that firefighters don’t necessarily associate the numbers nine and 11 with the attacks.
“Whether you’re a volunteer at Rocky Ridge or a full-time firefighter, the number 343 stands out,” Bachus said. “That’s the number of firefighters that were lost on 9/11.”
First responders entering the World Trade Center buildings knew how unstable the situation was and knew they could lose their lives, but they went in anyway, Bachus said.
Bachus then cited the number 2,500 – the number of civilians who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.
Chief Rick Patterson conducted a Call to Attention and Inspector Richard Linn rang a bell at the time of the South Tower’s collapse.
“The bell signifies that the tour of duty is over,” Chief Patterson said. “We ring it today in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.” ϖ
