YUMA, Arizona.- Since the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001, a special tribute has been made to the firefighters who died that day. At Yuma Fire Department Station #2, 3284 South Avenue A, 343 flags are placed on the lawn along Avenue A. One flag for each of the 343 Firefighters that gave their lives in the collapse of the towers of the World Trade Center while attempting to rescue those injured and trapped in the initial attacks.
According to Mike Erfert, Public Information Officer with the City of Yuma Fire Department, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, 72 additional flags were added in memory of the 72 law enforcement personnel who also gave their lives in service to others on that day. In previous years the flags have been put in place the day before and taken down the day after 9/11. This year the flags will be going up on Thursday September 8th and taken down on Monday September 12th. The flag display will be lit during the four nights it will be in place.
Multiple events will be taking place on the morning of September 11th . We know other groups and organizations will also be holding observances, but here are some of those YFD and the City of Yuma will be directly involved in:
The 5th Annual Memorial Stair Climb will be going on from 5:30 am until 7:00 am at 350 West 16th Street. This is an event put on by the United Yuma Fire Fighters Association (UYFFA). Local first responders, and military personnel, will be climbing the building’s staircases to symbolize those flights of stairs climbed by the first responders in the Twin Towers on 9/11. For more information on this event contact Aaron Wonders at aaron.wonders@yumaaz.gov .
In 2013 a 9/11 memorial was dedicated at E.F. Sanguinetti Fire Station #1, 353 S. 3rd Avenue. The 9/11 Memorial incorporates a 24”, 160 pound section of I-beam recovered from one of the Twin Towers. It was built by local construction workers and YFD personnel to honor those whose lives were lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Erfert said on this 21th Anniversary, Sunday September 11th at 9:00 am, a special ceremony will be held at the location of the September 11th Memorial at Fire Station #1. There will be limited seating and light refreshments provided.