The City of Springfield announces annual events to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Please join us to honor the fallen firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and victims who lost their lives on this terrible day.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “With heavy hearts we will gather to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, including our first responders, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save others. We honor and must never forget their memory and courageous bravery. Thank you first responders, who, as public servants, run into burning buildings to save lives, while everyone else is running out."
“Fifteen years later, the shock and outrage of 9/11 remains etched in our collective memory as a nation. But we also remember the extraordinary acts of bravery performed by the police, firefighters and first responders who put their lives at risk to help save their fellow Americans. On this day of reflection, let us pause to pay tribute to the 3,000 men and women who died at Ground Zero on September 11th. Our country will never forget them. And despite the loss we experienced on that terrible day, the American family remains resilient, and our core values, beliefs and principles as a society have only grown stronger,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.
“I encourage all first responders as well as the public to attend our ceremony to reminisce about that tragic day 15 years ago. It remains a day that carries special meaning for many people and has produced many changes in the first responder community and the security of our country that live on today,” said Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.
Police Commissioner John Barbieri said, “Please join us in attending a special ceremony in remembrance of the fallen heroes and victims that perished that tragic day. Help us honor those public servants that sacrificed everything during unimaginable conditions and the innocent victims of that terrible attack.”
The public and media are invited to attend the following free commemorative ceremonies:
City of Springfield September 11 Remembrance Ceremony
Friday, September 9, 2016 at 8:45 a.m.
Raymond M. Sullivan Public Safety Complex, 1212 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri and American Medical Response Director David Pelletier will honor the fallen firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. A wreath will be laid at the 9/11 monument dedicated to the emergency personnel who lost their lives that day. The ceremony is held at 8:45 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center.
15th Anniversary Mass in Remembrance of September 11
Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Michael’s Cathedral, 260 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski cordially invites state and local police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, members of the military and the public to the 15th Anniversary Mass in Remembrance of September 11. The Mass will air live on Chalice of Salvation, on WWLP-22 News. Public safety and military personnel are asked to dress in Class A Uniforms. Afterwards there will be a procession to the Springfield Museums for a remembrance ceremony dedicated to the uniformed personnel who lost their lives responding to the attacks. Mayor Sarno, Commissioner Conant, Commissioner Barbieri, David Pelletier and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey will speak. Springfield native Brig. Gen. Sean T. Collins will conduct the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. Guests are also invited to view two exhibits in the museum dedicated to the first responders who lost their lives on September 11. Better Angels, The Firefighters of 9/11 features 343 portraits by artist Dawn Siebel, one for each firefighter lost on 9/11, along with a short biographical sketch on each. Also on display is the statue of “Galaxy,” part one of the DOGNY Project that pays tribute to America’s search and rescue dogs. There will be free admission to the museum from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
