Pegram FD to hold 3rd annual 9/11 tribute

The Pegram Fire Department will hold its third annual 9/11 tribute at Pegram Park at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11. 

The event, led by Pegram Fire Department Lt. Taylor Davidson, is an effort to honor and remember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City 24 years ago.

“I see it as a great way to bring awareness and remembrance of the day while bringing the community together,” Davidson told the Gazette during last year’s event. 

To honor the victims of 9/11, the fire department creates badges for each of the 343 firefighters who died. The badge features a photo, their name and the words "never forget.” Community members who participate in the tribute will walk around the half mile track with a badge and then say the name of the firefighter they walked for into the PA system.

“I think that it is important for the names to be spoken and heard so the names are not forgotten and their stories live on,” Davidson said during the 2024 event. “The badges go home with the participants and I encourage them to look up the names and learn about these heroes and their families.”

The fire department is again selling custom t-shirts in adult sizes for the event. The shirts are $25 each and can be reserved by emailing info@pegramfire.net with your name, phone number, size and quantity. 

Similar to last year, all proceeds will be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was created in honor of New York Fire Department Firefighter Stephen Siller who died during the Sept. 11 attacks. The foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families. The Pegram Fire Department was able to donate $1,750 in 2024. 

“The terrorists of 9/11 wanted to turn this day into a dark day full of hatred,” Davidson said. “Our goal is to bring the community together with love and connection. By honoring these heroes together, we not only grow as a community, but we bring light into the darkness of the world.”