Pegram community marks 25 years since 9/11 with expanded remembrance

Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Pegram community gathered at Pegram Park to remember the lives lost and the first responders who never made it home.

The Pegram Fire Department held its fourth annual 9/11 tribute Sept. 11, bringing an estimated 150 people together for an evening of food, fellowship and remembrance.

While the event has remained largely unchanged since it began, this year marked an expansion of the department’s tribute. For the first time, participants also carried badges honoring 10 EMS personnel and 23 New York police officers who died in the attacks.

Along with the 343 firefighters who were killed, the department honored and read the names of 376 first responders.

“It was eye-opening to stop and realize that it has been a quarter century since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This year, I found myself thinking more about our responsibility to keep the memories of that day alive,” said Lt. Taylor Davidson, who leads the annual tribute. “We now have several firefighters in our department who weren’t even born when the attacks happened. For them, 9/11 is something they have learned about from history books, stories, photographs. That makes our responsibility even greater.” 

The evening began with food and fellowship before participants took part in the department's traditional walk of remembrance.

Attendees selected a badge bearing the name of one of the fallen first responders and carried it around the park's sidewalk. When they returned, they spoke the person's name into a microphone and rang a bell before returning for another badge.

The walk continued until all 376 names had been read.

Davidson said the purpose of the tradition is to make sure the people behind those names are not forgotten.

“Recognizing the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice – and this year adding the badges of the EMS personnel and police officers who were also killed on 9/11 – helps ensure that the sacrifices made that day are never forgotten,” he said. “When we say these names out loud, it becomes more than a list of names. It is a reminder that they were people.” 

He continued, “They were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and friends. They had families waiting for them to come home. They had lives, hopes, and plans for the future. But they had also taken an oath to serve and protect others – even if that service ultimately cost them their own lives.”

One moment in particular stood out to Davidson.

As he walked carrying the badge of Battalion Chief Orio Palmer, a 9-year-old boy approached him and asked about the name.

Davidson told the boy about Palmer's final moments, including his efforts to reach the 78th floor of the South Tower and help free civilians trapped inside.

“The 9 year old was wide eyed and mesmerized by the story I told him and then immediately asked about the name on his badge, and then badges of those who were walking near us,” Davidson said.

That moment illustrates why the department continues the tribute year after year, he said.

“I hope in the next years of this event we can keep the younger generations coming back, learning and passing on the stories and memories,” he said.

The department also uses the event to raise money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation – which was established in honor of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died responding to the attacks. The foundation supports Gold Star and fallen first responder families. 

All photos by Chris Tenpenny