9/11 ceremony held

‘We will never forget’

On a drizzly, overcast morning, a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony was held at NAS Corpus Christi Fire Station #1, paying tribute to those who lost their lives and honoring those heroes who responded to the tragedies that fateful day.

“On September 11, 2001, we saw ordinary people choose duty in the face of death,” said Fire Chief Ruben Perez to those assembled. “Military personnel, firefighters, police officers and civilians. They showed us through actions, the true value of duty, loyalty, self-sacrifice and love for each other.

“It is important we take the time to remember those who lost their lives. We must never forget. We tmust also ake the time to honor those who answered the call of duty that day,” Perez added.

“We shall never forget,” was echoed throughout the ceremony as well as tolling bells for those who perished in the terrorist attacks that fateful day.

Firefighter Baltazar Vega served as the ceremony’s emcee.

“There were a total of 2,977 deaths,” Vega recounted. “There were 246 on the four planes with no survivors. 2,606 at the twin towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon all but 55 were military personnel.”