Photos by Alexis Macklin
On Wednesday morning, the city of Phoenix celebrated the heroes and honored the fallen in a ceremony dedicated to the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
“In my lifetime, there’s been no worse tragedy,” Vice Mayor Bill Gates said to the crowd that gathered in Phoenix City Hall’s first floor atrium to watch the memorial ceremony.
Gates said he was sitting at home feeding his then five-month-old daughter when the news broke. Though he said his initial emotions were of fear, anger and disbelief at the terrorist attacks, he went on to say he was amazed by the “awesome bravery of the first responders.”
It was that bravery that was honored during Wednesday’s service.
“We lost a lot that day in 2001, but we also saw the best in humanity,” City Councilman Michael Nowakowski said.
Nowakowski and Gates stood beside other city officials as well as members of the Phoenix fire and police departments during the memorial.
The service began with a presentation of the colors by a joint fire and police honor guard as the Pipe and Drum Corp played “America the Beautiful,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Peoria Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Kyle Layne then led an invocation prayer.
“I think it is important to remember that day,” Layne said in an interview. “I think it is part of the healing process.”
Police Chief Daniel Garcia offered comforting words in tribute to the fallen, honoring them as “soldiers of democracy.”
Phoenix Fire Department Deputy Chief Chris Ketterer explained the significance of each ceremonial activity, including the ringing of a bell and a 21-gun salute to signify the end of a fallen officer’s shift.
The bell at Phoenix City Hall tolled in a special Fire Department of New York sequence of rings as the honor guard unfurled a flag that once flew over Ground Zero while a rendition of “Amazing Grace” played.
The flag was provided by John Buneta, who was awarded the flag by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in honor of Buneta’s dedication to the rescue efforts as a Fire Department of New York paramedic.
“For police and firefighters it is about duty and responding to those in need, on or off duty,” said Phoenix Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Kalkbrenner of the first responders on 9/11.
The ceremonies concluded with a benediction in honor of Father Mychal Judge, Chaplain of the Fire Department of New York, who died at the World Trade Center.
“Time heals things,” Layne said. “Over time, it will be less about healing and more about remembering.”
Contact the reporter at Taylor.Lynn.Nelson@asu.edu
