On September 11, 2001, the United States of America changed forever after terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger airplanes and crashed them in different locations. These attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, injured thousands more, and inflicted countless others with respiratory illnesses. Communities across the country have observed 9/11 over the last quarter-century, honoring the civilians who passed away and the heroes who risked their lives to help.

The Village of Walden, one of the first municipalities that responded to the attacks, held its annual 9/11 memorial service last Friday at Walden Fire Station 1. During the evening, several first responders shared their stories at Ground Zero and commemorated comrades both alive and deceased.

The ceremony opened with the flag colors presented by the Walden American Legion Post 158, the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer from Village Mayor Becky Pearson, and the national anthem sung by Pat Hogan. Walden Fire Chief George Brown welcomed attendees to the ceremony and recounted the immediate response to the 9/11 attacks. He explained how Walden was one of the first communities to provide aid at Ground Zero, helping with search and rescue recovery operations.

“In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attack, our nation demonstrated fortitude and perseverance. Firefighters from around the country arrived in New York City within 48 hours to assist with the recovery missions,” Brown said. “As the fire service mourned the loss of 343 members of FDNY, so did both the NYC Police Department and Port of Authority, who lost 61 members. We also mourned the loss of other first responders and civilians who died that day, including 43 from Orange County. It was clear to all of us that collectively, we would promise as a nation to never forget.”

“On that fateful day, our village was the only community in America to be requested to respond by Governor George Pataki to lend aid at Ground Zero,” he continued. “Members representing our DPW, our police department, and our fire department were some of the first responders to begin the search and recovery operations. Walden’s first assignment was to enter Ground Zero from West Street and begin clearing a staging area, which was once the base of South Tower, so that rescue and recovery operations could begin. Among the 343 names of firefighters lost that day was one of our own residents, FDNY Firefighter Ronnie Lee Henderson.”

State Senator Rob Rolison recounted where he was on 9/11 and discussed the sacrifices that both first responders and civilians made that day. He was joined by NYS Assemblyman Brian Maher, who read former President George Bush’s 9/11 address.

“We talk about the 343 members of the FDNY who lost their lives. NYPD, Port Authority Police, and state court officers were killed that day as well. Each one of those individuals left other individuals behind, never to see them again. They went to work that morning like many of us do, showing up at a firehouse or police precinct and going to the World Trade Center to provide security. And then the unspeakable happens,” Rolison said. “But the resilience of the first responders and everyday citizens, who all rushed towards danger as others were trying to flee the horrific events that were taking place in downtown Manhattan that day, is a testament to who we are as individuals. It’s a testament to who we are as a community, whether it’s in Walden or Manhattan.”

“The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, and huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong, and great people have been moved to defend this great nation,” Maher said, reading Bush’s address. “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining.”

Reverend James VanHouten, a retired firefighter and pastor of the Walden Baptist Church, read the last homily of Father Mychal Judge, a FDNY chaplain who passed away on September 11. He also recounted a story from Ground Zero, in which he and his fire captain helped elderly ladies bring food to rescue dogs. His story highlighted how all citizens wanted to be first responders and serve their country following the attacks.

“That was a special time in our country; the unity which swept across America made every one of our citizens a first responder. And everyone wanted to do their best to defeat the evil which had struck our country on 9/11,” Reverend VanHouten said. “Romans 12:21 in our Bibles says ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ We did that as a nation 25 years ago.”

Former Mayor John Ramos read “Meet Me in the Stairwell,” a poem written by Stacey Randall that describes where God was during the attacks.

“I was on the 100th floor in a smoke-filled room with a man who called his wife to goodbye. I held his fingers steady as he dialed the phone. I have him the peace to say ‘Honey, I’m not going to make it, but it’s okay. I’m ready to go,’” Ramos read. “I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and realized that he was not coming home that night.”

A few speakers listed the names of people who responded to 9/11 and-or passed away that day, accompanied by bell tolls and TAPS. Walden Police Chief Daniel D’Elicio listed police officers, Ramos listed Walden first responders, retired Firefighter Chris Ryan listed Orange County civilians, and retired Fire Chief Charles McNeely listed FDNY firefighters from Orange County. Walden Fire Captain Michael Gregorio then placed a wreath of remembrance onto the Walden FD’s 9/11 memorial beam.

“This wreath of remembrance signifies our sorrow at the loss of our 424 first responders on 9/11,” Reverend VanHouten said. “It is symbolic of the sure and certain hope that we shall meet once again in the eternal land of blessedness to which they have gone.”

The ceremony concluded with a recording The Firefighters Creed by Tim Murphy, the placing of the glove service, a community singing of God Bless America led by Hogan, and a benediction led by Reverend Chanta Bhan of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.