Easthampton Fire Department remembers 9-11 on 21st anniversaryDate: 9/20/2022 EASTHAMPTON – Residents gathered at the Easthampton Fire Department on Sept. 11 for a ceremony honoring those lost during the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City 21 years ago.
Deputy Chief Kevin Benson led the ceremony and began with remarks on the importance of remembering the tragic day and honoring the lives lost.
“[First responders] demonstrated real life heroism putting their lives on the line to save their fellow human beings during a time of formally unimaginable hell,” Benson said. “As I remember that solemn day I think of the many stories of true courage and bravery, in defiance of the goals of those who sought to ruin the American spirit. And of the firefighters and police officers who would never get the chance to return home to their families.”
Following Benson’s remarks, a moment was taken for the four sets of five chimes ringing of the bell. According to Benson, this practice originates from New York City fire departments as the ringing of a bell was to be used for different alarms to notify residents of emergencies.
Each type of alarm would have its own number and series of bell strikes. When a firefighter would die in the line of duty, five bell strikes repeated in four series with a slight pause between each series followed by the announcement. This practice was used during the Easthampton ceremony before the station flag was lowered to half-mast.
Chaplain for the Fire Department Father Bill Hamilton then spoke to the crowd.
“We are gathered this morning to fulfill a sacred trust and promise. Twenty-one years ago, we pledged ourselves to always remember, and to never forget the tragedy inflicted upon us on September 11, 2001,” Hamilton said. “And so today, we stand with our members of public safety, acknowledging the value of heroism of those who ran into what can only be described as the fires of hell.”
The ringing of the bell occurred again before the flag was raised back up before the ceremony ended.
“I want to thank all of you who are here today for living up to the meaning of never forget,” Benson said. “When people show up year after year and now 21 years later, it makes me proud to know that there are people who will never forget that terrifying incident.”
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