Bedford firefighters are planning ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Manhattan, Washington, DC., and Shanksville, PA.
The public is invited to gather on the fire station grounds, 55 The Great Road, starting at 9:55 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, for the observance.
One of the highlights of the program will be the reading of the names of all 351 firefighters and emergency medical technicians who died during the attacks by Bedford firefighters, as well as the names of the 61 law enforcement victims by counterparts from the Bedford force.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, many other first-responders have died as a result of illnesses and injuries triggered by their proximity to the attack sites.
Another highlight will be the sounding of the “four fives” bell pattern, a traditional symbol of honoring first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Participating will be the Fire Department honor guard. The ceremonies will climax with the playing of Taps.
Planning for the ceremony includes the configuration of Fire Department vehicles that will allow immediate response to emergency calls.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
