This year is the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed more than 2,000 people and injured more than 6,000. That day, though traumatic and heartbreaking, brought many Americans together and many would say it was the most patriotic they’ve seen The United States in the days following. To this day, many people choose 9/11 to serve as a reminder of everything that happened 20 years ago. You, too, can honor those who died on 9/11 and those who have fought in the years following to ensure an event like that never happens again.
Watch the VFD Livestream Ceremony
The Victoria Fire Department is live-streaming a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Friday morning at 8:00 AM on September 10th. The live stream can be viewed on their Facebook page as well as the Victoria Facebook page. The keynote speaker is Dan Phillips, a retired Chief Deputy of the U.S. Marshals.
Annual Stair Climb
Over the years, a popular way of honoring the first responders who gave their lives to help the victims of 9/11 has been to climb 110 flights of stairs, which is how tall the World Trade Center was. In fact, after the VFD live stream this year, some local firefighters and first responders are planning on completing the stair climb at Victoria Memorial Stadium, which can be streamed on Facebook on the Victoria Advocate’s page.
Honor in Small Ways
It doesn’t have to just be the exact 9/11 anniversary for you to honor those who died that day or sacrificed their lives following 9/11 for your freedom. Here are a few ways you can pay your respects:
- Say thank you to a soldier wearing their uniform or a veteran you know or see.
- Say thank you to your local police officers, firefighters, and EMTs. These first responders are keeping your community safe and helping locally.
- Make a donation to the FealGoodFoundation, which supports responders who are dealing with health issues following 9/11.
- You can also donate to Tuesday’s Children, which supports youth and families who were impacted by 9/11.
- Volunteer on 9/11 to show your unity and help others in remembrance of the innocent and first responders who were killed.
Though 9/11 was a traumatic day for most Americans, it was also a day of uniting together. Many countries around the world were in awe of how the United States responded on September 12, 2001, because we showed them what the “united” meant in your country’s name. Honoring those who died on September 11th is a great way to pay homage to them, our soldiers, and our veterans who have fought this war and have protected our freedom.
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