Rochester's Police and Firefighters Remember 9/11
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Eleven years, but still burned in memory, like it was yesterday.
"We are gathered here because of what happened 11 years ago today. Events that bring to mind tragedy, but also gratitude," said Sam Mitrano, Interim Fire Chief of the Rochester Fire Department.
Rochester's emergency responders honored those who chose duty in the face of death.
"We remember them as heroes, and we are right to do so. They died because, in the words of justification offered by their attackers, they were Americans," Mitrano said.
Firefighters and police officers. Their connection to those who died in the World Trade Center attacks is woven by a common job.
"We all remember the day, where we were. What we were doing, when we were doing, when the news spread of the attacks. It changed our country forever, and we should never forget it," said Mike Wood, RPD Executive Deputy Chief.
"It taught us to value why it is what we are," said Rochester Mayor Tom Richards.
Much has changed since the terrorist attacks. Richards says, bigger than that, is what hasn't.
"We're still the most open, free, and the country with the most opportunity in the world. That's what 9/11 was trying to stop, and it failed."