Yuma Fire Department pays tribute to 9/11 first responders
Every year since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the City of Yuma Fire Department has been conducting a special tribute to the firefighters who died that day by placing 343 flags on the lawn of Station No. 2.
According to fire department spokesperson Mike Erfert, each of the flags represents one of the 343 firefighters who gave their lives in the collapse of the towers of the World Trade Center while attempting to rescue those injured and trapped inside.
Erfert added that on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, 72 additional flags were added in memory of the law enforcement personnel who also gave their lives in service to others on that day.
Also, in 2013, a 9/11 memorial was dedicated at E.F. Sanguinetti Fire Station No. 1, which features a 24-foot long, 160 pound section of I-beam recovered from one of the two twin towers.
Erected at 353 S. 3rd Avenue, 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, Pa.
Erfert said the flags will be put into place on Sunday afternoon and will remain until Tuesday morning. The display will also be lit during the two nights it will be in place.
There are also three ceremonies taking place in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, one on Sunday and two on Monday.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, a Blue Mass ceremony will be at at 5 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, located at 505 S. Avenue B. The Knights of Columbus Council #9378 invites the community to join in honoring those who lost their lives that day, and all the others since, while defending our freedom. All public safety and military personnel will be remembered.
The community is also invited to take part in a brief ceremony and special tribute at 9 a.m. on Monday to the firefighters and police who died at Fire Station No. 2, located at 3284 S. Avenue A.
Then, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, a brief memorial service will be held at the location of the September 11 Memorial at the E.F. Sanguinetti Fire Station No. 1.