Attleboro Fire Department Pays Tribute During Annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony

Attleboro firefighters and police officers gathered outside of the Attleboro Fire Department Headquarters to observe for the department’s annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday morning. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

ATTLEBORO — An Attleboro firefighter tolled the bell 20 times, a traditional fire service signal of four sets of five bell strikes, honoring a firefighter’s death in the line of duty.

Attleboro Firefighters were joined on Thursday morning by Attleboro Police, City Officials and members of the community at the Attleboro Fire Department Headquarters to mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with a solemn ringing of bells, the marching of the Attleboro Fire and Police Honor Guards, the Firefighter’s Prayer, and the raising of the American flag. The annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony is a tradition for the Fire Department, honoring the lives lost and the heroes who stepped up to save others.

“It’s hard to believe it’s now been 24 years since the terrorist attacks occurred. I’m sure we all remember what we were doing on that day,” said Attleboro Fire Chief Scott T. Lachance. “We’ve been doing the ceremony now every single year since 2001. It’s our way of keeping our promise to never forget the tragic loss of lives that occurred so long ago.”

Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone reminded the audience of those 343 “incredibly brave firefighters” who went into the World Trade Center in New York City and lost their lives in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001.

“For firefighters, it’s a day that they carry in their heads and their hearts. It’s a memory etched into the souls of firefighters all over the country,” Mayor DeSimone said. “They went to save people they had never met. They climbed stairs, burdened with heavy gear. They passed people fleeing for their lives, with their every step a testament to the oath they had taken long before. Their sacrifice was not in vain. It was a tragic, heroic act, that reminded the world what true courage looks like.”

Mayor DeSimone thanked the Attleboro firefighters and police officers for all that they do.

“Thank you for your service to the community today and every day,” Mayor DeSimone said.

Chief Lachance thanked everyone who attended the Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony and supported the event, including about 30 members of the general public.

“On behalf of all the members of the fire department, I appreciate you all taking the time to be here this morning. We’re especially honored to have so many members of the Attleboro Police Department here with us,” Chief Lachance said. “One of the reasons we do this ceremony is we want the general public to remember exactly what happened. We don’t want to relive it, but it is important that we don’t forget it.

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A group of community members joined Attleboro police and firefighters outside of the Attleboro Fire Department Headquarters to observe for the department’s annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

A massive American flag was hoisted up by a ladder truck during the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony held on Thursday morning outside the Attleboro Fire Department Headquarters. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

Attleboro Firefighters and Attleboro Police paid tribute during the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony held on Thursday morning. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

Attleboro Firefighters and Attleboro Police marched in formation and an honor guard paraded down Union Street during the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone reminded the audience of those 343 “incredibly brave firefighters” who went into the World Trade Center in New York City and lost their lives in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

Attleboro Fire Chief Scott T. Lachance spoke to the crowd during the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony held on Thursday morning at the Attleboro Fire Department Headquarters. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)

Attleboro Firefighters and Attleboro Police paid tribute during the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony held on Thursday morning. (Photo Courtesy Attleboro Fire Department)