Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is proud to join as Springfield will continue the tradition of honoring the first responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001, with the annual Remembrance Ceremony.
Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6pm, on the 24th anniversary of the horrific attacks on the United States, the Springfield Fire and Police Departments and the Spirit of Springfield will present Springfield’s September 11thRemembrance Ceremony in Riverfront Park. By the conclusion of the event guests will see the silhouette of the World Trade Center artifact cast the shadow of the Twin Towers on the bronze wall that bears the names of the 498 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
During the speaking program, a bronze kiosk that identifies Springfield’s September 11th Monument and the names that are engraved on it will be unveiled. There will be remembrances by Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi, Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Patrick Leonardo, Regional Director for American Medical Response, and Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Wing Commander for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base. There will be greetings from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, State Representative John Velis, Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, and the invocation by Father Gary Dailey, Chaplin for the Springfield Fire Department. The National Anthem will be performed by Vanessa Ford. Anthony Cignoli, President of A. L. Cignoli Company, will serve as the master of ceremonies and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Ashe, Executive Director of the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, will make a special announcement about the area that surrounds the monument. The kiosk will be unveiled by John Sjoberg, Spirit of Springfield Board Chair, and Frank Colaccino, President of The Colvest Group, who have led the fundraising effort for the companion piece.
The ceremonial portion of the program will begin with emergency services equipment rolling out over the Memorial Bridge to Riverfront Park. This will include the Springfield Police Department cruisers and motorcycles, Springfield Fire Department engine, an American Medical Response ambulance, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. This will be followed by the tolling of the fire bell, and the laying of a wreath by Commissioner Calvi, Superintendent Akers, Patrick Leonardo, and Colonel Halasi-Kun. The Springfield Police Department will conclude the program with a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
Free parking will be available in the I-91 South Garage after 5pm. The Springfield Water & Sewer Commission will provide water, and Walmart will distribute flags. Limited seating will be available. Lawn chairs are welcome.
The Springfield Department of Public Works has produced and installed signs on East Columbus Avenue and Hall of Fame Avenue directing visitors to Springfield’s September 11th Monument.
Springfield’s September 11th Monument was dedicated on June 19, 2019. The monument features a vertical I-beam from the World Trade Center and a curved bronze wall listing the names of the 498 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Most are firefighters from New York City. There are many law enforcement officers, members of the military, as well as employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The monument and companion kiosk were designed and constructed by Salmon Studios in Florence, Massachusetts.
Springfield’s September 11th Remembrance Ceremony is a collaborative effort between the Springfield Fire and Police Departments, and the Spirit of Springfield. For more information visit spiritofspringfield.org.
