Community Gathers to Honor 9/11 Victims and Heroes

Rochester Hills Marks the 17th Anniversary of September 11

Local residents, public officials, city employees, and first responders came together at the Rochester Hills Fire Station One for the City’s Annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony honors emergency service personnel and the victims who lost their lives during the events of 9/11.

The ceremony included Posting of Colors, the playing of TAPS, and the ceremonial bell ringing. There were also presentations from City Council President Mark Tisdel, Congressman Mike Bishop, State Senator Marty Knollenberg, State Representative Mike Webber, and Fire Chief Sean Canto.

“Every year on the anniversary of this course-altering madness, we choose to take what was delivered by evil and use it for good,” states Tisdel. “We stand tall in strength, courage, and confidence. We stand together and do what is right.”

The Remembrance Ceremony is coordinated by the Rochester Hills Fire Department. Representatives from the Auburn Hills Fire Department, the Rochester Fire Department and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office were in attendance as well.

Following the playing of Amazing Grace, guests were invited to lay 411 small American flags, which represented the 411 emergency responders that were lost 17 years ago today. These flags were placed around the Fire Department’s 9/11 Memorial, which features a section of steel beam from the former World Trade Center.

“Our memorial symbolizes the lives and the spirit of those lives lost on 9/11 and serves as a place where we will continue to honor our Firefighters, Police Officers, EMS professionals, and the military personnel who serve our country so selflessly,” states Mayor Bryan K. Barnett.