Rockford commemorates tragedy, resilience on 24th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Police, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and other community members gathered outside the Winnebago County 9/11 Emergency Responders Memorial on Thursday to commemorate the men and women who lost their lives after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
The short, solemn ceremony concluded with a moment of silence and a floral wreath being placed near the 1,000-pound steel beams that came from the World Trade Center. Those beams are incorporated into the memorial at State Street and Kilburn Avenue near the Winnebago County Criminal Justice Center.
“This anniversary is not only about the tragedy we endured, but about the resilience that we found,” said interim Rockford Fire Chief Brian Carlson, who is vice president of the memorial committee. “In the wake of destruction, Americans came together and united in unity and resolve. …
“We honor the fallen by showing the spirit that could not be broken.”
The Thursday morning ceremony was one of several ways Rockfordians are observing the 24th anniversary of the attacks. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, held a bell-ringing ceremony and musical tribute, and Northern Illinois Food Bank will have multiple volunteers helping pack and stock food at its Rockford Neighborhood Market in honor of Sept. 11 being a National Day of Service.
At the memorial site in Rockford, Carlson said the ceremony is about ensuring that the stories of those who lost their lives in service are not forgotten.
The memorial site includes plaques with the names of first responders in Winnebago County who died in the line of duty. There are also symbols of the sacrifice of first responders on Sept. 11, 2001. A statue of a firefighter includes the number 343 on the shield of the helmet in recognition of the number of New York City firefighters who died responding to the World Trade Center. Similarly, the badge on the police officer statue has the number 20 and the emergency medical service worker carries the number eight.
They “ran toward the danger for those others who fled,” Carlson said during his remarks at the event. “They climbed stairwells, entered buildings and gave everything they had in the service of others. Their courage and sacrifice stands alone as some of the most powerful examples of heroism in our history.”
There are also 40 star bricks at the memorial site in memory of the passengers who died on United Flight 93, which was hijacked by terrorists but crashed before reaching its intended target when passengers fought back.
“From the ashes of that day, we also witnessed extraordinary courage. The bravery of average citizens. We honor the passengers of Flight 93, whose bravery prevented further destruction,” Carlson said. “We hold close the memory of every life lost, and stand in support of the families who continue to carry the weight in their absence.”
The attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93 killed nearly 3,000 people. The health effects of responding to the tragedy have continued to manifest in the years that followed, affecting thousands more people.
“May we continue to honor their legacy not only through words, but through actions, by serving our community, extending kindness to one another, and striving for the world were peace prevails over hatred,” Carlson said.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
