Penticton

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Penticton firefighters remember the fallen

Penticton firefighters gathered at the cairn in Veterans Park Tuesday to pay tribute to those who died during the 9-11 terrorist attacks 11 years ago.

The men and women who put their own lives in danger fighting fires have paid tribute every year on this date.

 "It came around and we wondered what we should do," said Penticton Fire Chief Wayne Williams. "After talking to other members we decided to go to the cairn, which honours firefighters, and remember those who lost their lives."

Almost 3000 people died on Sept. 11, 2001,  including all of the passengers on the four highjacked planes, people in targeted buildings and firefighters and police officers who tried to save them.

At the hard hit World Trade Center, citizens from more than 90 countries lost their lives.

While most of them tried to escape the chaos, the firefighters rushed into save lives, said Williams.

"It was one of the worst disasters we have ever had," he said. "And they were all running in while others ran out. In all more than 300 firefighters lost their lives."

Likes other ceremonies held worldwide, the gathering at the cairn was a somber one.

Williams welcomed everyone and explained the importance of coming together. There was a moment of silence and a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace."

For Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding the ceremony stirred up memories of that shocking day.

"I remember watching it play by play on TV, and it was a pretty tough thing to grasp with so many fatalities," he said. "The week after was sad with many from here going to attend the funerals for firefighters in New York." .

Penticton sent a truck and a crew of five to the fire in Peachland, so the risks firefighters take very day were also on his mind."

"We work hard on training, but we still lose firefighters," he said. "So it's nice to take a moment to remember the lives lost from there that day and other members and their families. And hope that it never happens here."