By Jennifer Rios
The Broomfield Enterprise
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — On Sunday, Sept. 11, North Metro Fire Rescue District, the Broomfield Police Department and the City and County of Broomfield will hold their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Broomfield Amphitheater in Community Park. The ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. and is free and open to the public.
“It’s always a privilege for us to hold this memorial ceremony each year,” said North Metro Fire Chief David Ramos. “It’s a time for us to not only remember the lives lost that day but to also honor the courage and strength that was displayed by everyday heroes during one of our nation’s darkest moments.”
The ceremony will begin at the Broomfield Amphitheater at 3 Community Park Road and will include members of Broomfield Police and North Metro Fire, an honor guard and local musicians.
Remarks will be made by two area residents who have close personal ties to the 9/11 attacks. One speaker lost his brother, Colorado native Chris Faughnan, in the 9/11 tragedy, while the other speaker worked in of one of the Trade Towers and narrowly missed being in his office when the attacks occurred.
Following the remarks, attendees will process over to the 9/11 Memorial where the flag will be lowered and presented, and a ceremonial bell will be rung to remember each of the three sites attacked. Adjoining the memorial grounds on Spader Way, two fire engines will raise their ladders together and display an American flag in remembrance.
Close to 3,000 people died during the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, and hundreds more have died since that day due to health complications from exposure to toxins at the scene. Of those lives lost on Sept. 11, more than 400 were firefighters, policemen and emergency services providers.
North Metro Fire encourages any area residents who were involved in the 9/11 attacks or who lost loved ones to contact the fire district if they wish to be recognized at the memorial ceremony.
Copyright 2016 the Broomfield Enterprise