Watch full Folsom Times video of Wednesday’s remembrance below article.
It was 23-years ago that nearly 3000 individuals perished in the deadly attacks on our nation. Wednesday morning, the City of Folsom held a Gathering and Remembrance to honor the victims of the tragic events at City Lions Park which began promptly at 8:46 a.m., the original time the first attack occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.
Wednesday’s ceremony lasted just over 15minutes as members of the Folsom Fire and Police Departments, along with several city and state dignitaries spoke to those that gathered on the lawn outside of the Folsom City Library.
Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano opened Wednesday’s ceremony. As he took to the podium, Cusano opened with a statement on behalf of the city in regards to remembering the tragic losses of that day in which nearly everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing at the moment the Twin Towers were initially struck in New York City.
“Today marks 23 years since the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We are gathered here to honor and remember the 343 New York City firefighters and paramedics, the 23 New York Police Department officers, 37 Port Authority police officers, and the 33 flight crew members who gave their lives in the line of duty that day,” cited Cusano. “We also remember the 125 civilians and military personnel who were killed at the Pentagon and the nearly 3,000 innocent civilians who perished in the Twin Towers and aboard the four airplanes.
Though 23 years have passed, the memory of that day remains etched in our hearts. We come together not only to remember those who were lost but to reaffirm our commitment that we will never forget. Today, we also extend our gratitude to the military personnel who continue to protect and serve our nation, defending our freedom. To the veterans present with us today, we are honored by your presence and your service”
Following his opening remarks, Cusano welcomed several others to take the podium. The first was Folsom Mayor Mike Kozlowski who shared memories of where he was and what he was doing that day the towers were struck and continued to speak in honor of all of those who perished that day.
“ 9/11 stands out as one of those moments where you know exactly where you were when it happened. The president was reading to a school group, the morning news programs were preparing to deliver a sunny weather report and a peppy cooking segment, and I myself was in my minivan on Highway 94 in suburban Detroit, heading to Kinko’s to make copies of some architectural plans,” shared Kozlowski. “Everyone in New York City was going about their regular morning routines. Tragedy often imprints the clearest memories, and in this case, these memories will live on for generations.”
“What followed was a process of grieving that was acute for those who lost loved ones, and no less acute for the firefighters, police, and their families across our nation, many of whom experienced a sort of survivor’s guilt,” the mayor continued. “There was also a national process of grieving that saw the entire country go through phases of lashing out, bargaining, denying facts, and finally accepting the losses. Only now, after so many years, does it feel like we are able to look back with clearer minds and process the long-term meaning of that tragedy.”
Kozlowski was followed by Senator Roger Niello who shared similar thoughts and memories alike.
“Today, we think back on that clear September day over two decades ago. We witnessed acts of unimaginable horror and extraordinary heroism. We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken from us too soon—mothers, fathers, sons, daughters. As has been said so often since, we also honor the bravery of the first responders, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger without hesitation. Their selfless acts of courage and sacrifice saved countless lives and embodied the very best of our humanity, Niello shared. “Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice, and their legacy of heroism continues to inspire us.
In the aftermath of the attacks, we saw a nation come together in solidarity. Strangers became friends, communities united, and the world stood with us in that darkest hour. As we reflect on the events of 9/11, let us remember the lessons we learned. We are reminded of the importance of vigilance and the need to stand against hatred and extremism in all forms. We are reminded of the value of empathy and understanding, and the power of coming together to support one another in times of crisis. This is especially important today. May we never forget the events of September 11, 2001, and may we always remember the strength and resilience that emerged from that horrible tragedy. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of those lost continues to inspire and guide us toward a brighter future. The continuing refrain: never forget.”
Assemblyman Josh Hoover took the podium and shared some recent conversations he had with his young daughter, who was curious about the events of 9/11 as they happened long before she was born, which he used to stress the importance of remembering this day far in to the future.
“My daughter was asking about it, and her older brother criticized her a bit for not knowing more about the events of September 11, 2001,” Hoover shared. “So, we talked about it as a family, and this is why I appreciate this event so much, because I think it’s critical that we gather together to remind ourselves of the events of that day and why it’s important to remember. We talked about the horrific attack on our nation and The bravery of the first responders, who, as the senator mentioned, ran toward danger, putting their own lives at risk nd in many cases, losing their lives in an effort to save others. But we also discussed something that I think we don’t talk about enough when it comes to September 11th: what happened in the days and weeks following the attack. I am very optimistic about our nation, but it’s hard to deny that there are many forces that seek to divide us. Even in 2001, there were things that sought to divide our nation. But the American spirit in the days and weeks following the attack is something I will never forget.”
Hoover, an avid baseball fan, shared memories of the World Series when it resumed after Sept.11 that year and how those events and images have been with him ever since, illustrating as he called it, the American spirit.
“I recall reading about how President Bush, during the World Series that year between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees, was advised by his security team to throw the first pitch in Arizona, as they thought it would be the safest place for him. There was a lot of fear in those early days, and they didn’t want him to be in New York,” said Hoover. “But he rejected that plan. Instead, he and his team took Marine One, flew to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 of the World Series, put on a bulletproof vest and a New York Fire Department jacket, and walked out onto the field. He threw a strike over home plate in front of the whole world. In that moment, the cheers that erupted from the stadium and the memories I still carry of that moment stay with me. It was a testament to the American spirit, a reminder that the American spirit will always triumph and will not be deterred. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be here with you today to remember these events together.”
Other dignitaries that took the stage but did not speak on Wednesday included Folsom City Manager Elaine Andersen, Councilman YK Chalamcherla and Assistant Fire Chief Chad Wilson. A number of Folsom Police officers, firefighters and city of Folsom staff participated in the event as well.
The brief speeches by the different dignitaries were then followed by a moment of prayer performed by Pastor Daniel Vang of Folsom’s Mount Olive Church. Just before the ceremony concluded, Gillian Highland, of Folsom’s Vista Del Lago High School, performed Taps. Folsom Commander Brian Lockhart took the podium to close the ceremony before attendees spent time visiting amongst one another and with city leaders on the shaded lawn area near the Veteran’s Memorial.
“I know I speak for the fire department as well when I say the support we feel from this community on a daily basis is truly humbling. Today, we paid tribute to the heroes: the police officers, the firefighters, and the everyday citizens who rose to the occasion with unwavering bravery and courage, “ said Lockhart. “’As we leave here today, let us remember that our unity and our collective strength are the greatest legacies we can offer. Let us honor the memory of those we have lost by living our lives with purpose, kindness, and a resolve to make a positive difference.”
While the events of 9/11 were remembered locally, just down the hill in Sacramento others from Folsom were paying their respect to their fallen colleagues . A group of Folsom Firefighters participated in the Sacramento 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Each firefighter climbs 110 flights of stairs in this event, the same amount climbed in the World Trade Center, carrying the names of one of the fallen 343 firefighters.
Folsom Firefighters participated in the Sacramento Memorial Stair Climb Wednesday morning with others from the region.
2,977 people in all were killed in the deadliest terrorist attacks in American history on Sept. 11, 2001.
The moment shocked the nation. Two planes, hijacked by Islamic jihadists vowing death to all Americans, plowed into both towers at the World Trade Center in New York. Another plane was flown into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane, presumably headed for the White House or the U.S. Capitol, was heroically diverted by passengers and ended up crashing in an empty field in Pennsylvania. After reports of the first plane hitting the North Tower, millions watched the second plane hit the South Tower on live television.
It was a terrifying, startling, and humbling event for the country. The 9/11 attacks were the deadliest on American soil since the shock attack at Pearl Harbor 60 years before, and the sense of outrage was reminiscent of that moment. The attacks in New York occurred in the country’s busiest city on a busy workday. And the staggered nature of the attacks meant that news footage captured almost everything as it happened, ensuring that millions of Americans saw the events precisely as they unfolded.
| September 11, 2001 timeline of attacks 5:45 AM – Mohamed Atta and Abdul Aziz al-Omari, two of the intended hijackers, pass through security at the Portland International Jetport in Maine. They board a commuter flight to Boston Logan International Airport, they then board American Airlines Flight 11. 7:59 AM – Flight 11 takes off from Boston, headed for Los Angeles, California. There are 76 passengers, 11 crew members, and 5 hijackers on board. 8:15 AM – United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston, also headed for Los Angeles. There are 51 passengers, 9 crew members, and 5 hijackers on board. 8:19 AM – A flight attendant on Flight 11, Betty Ann Ong, alerts ground personnel that a hijacking is underway and that the cockpit is unreachable. 8:20 AM – American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Dulles, outside of Washington, DC, headed for Los Angeles. There are 53 passengers, 6 crew members, and 5 hijackers on board. 8:24 AM – Mohamed Atta, a hijacker on Flight 11, unintentionally alerts air controllers in Boston to the attack. He meant to press the button that allowed him to talk to the passengers on his flight. 8:37 AM – After hearing the broadcast from Atta on Flight 11, Boston air traffic control alerts the US Air Force’s Northeast Defense Sector, who then mobilize the Air National Guard to follow the plane. 8:42 AM – United Flight 93 takes off from Newark, New Jersey, after a delay due to routine traffic. It was headed for San Francisco, California. There are 33 passengers, 7 crew members, and 4 hijackers are on board. 8:46 AM – Flight 11 crashes into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. All passengers aboard are instantly killed, and employees of the WTC are trapped above the 91st floor. 9:03 AM – Flight 175 crashes into the WTC’s South Tower. All passengers aboard are killed instantly and so are an unknown number of people in the tower. 9:05 AM – President George W. Bush, in an elementary school classroom in Florida, is informed about the hit on the second tower. His chief of staff, Andrew Card, whispers the chilling news into the president’s ear. Bush later wrote about his response: “I made the decision not to jump up immediately and leave the classroom. I didn’t want to rattle the kids. I wanted to project a sense of calm… I had been in enough crises to know that the first thing the leader has to do is to project calm.” (Miller Center) 9:28 AM – Hijackers attack on Flight 93. 9:37 AM – Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. All passengers aboard are instantly killed and so are 125 civilian and military personnel in the building. 9:45 AM – US airspace is shut down under Operation Yellow Ribbon. All civilian aircraft are ordered to land at the nearest airport. 9:55 AM – Air Force One with President George W. Bush aboard takes off from Florida. 9:57 AM – Passengers aboard Flight 93 begin to run up toward the cockpit. Jarrah, the pilot, begins to roll the plane back and forth in an attempt to destabilize the revolt. 9:59 AM – The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. 10:02 AM – Flight 93 plows into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Although its ultimate target is unknown, it was likely heading for either the White House or the US Capitol. 10:18 AM – President Bush authorizes any non-grounded planes to be shot down. At that time, all four hijacked planes had already crashed but the president’s team was operating under the impression that Flight 93 was still in the air. 10:28 AM – The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. 10:53 AM – Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld orders the US military to move to a higher state of alert, going to DEFCON 3. 11:45 AM – Air Force 1 lands at Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport, Louisiana. 12:15 PM – Airspace in the United States is completely free of all commercial and private flights. 1:30 PM – Air Force 1 leaves Barksdale. 2:30 PM – Rudy Giuliani, the mayor of New York City, visits the fallen Twin Towers of the World Trade Center at what becomes known as Ground Zero. 3:00 PM – Air Force 1 lands at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, and President Bush is immediately taken to a secure bunker that is capable of withstanding a nuclear attack. 4:30 PM – Air Force 1 leaves Offutt and heads back toward Andrews Air Force base near Washington, DC. 5:30 PM – Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses. 8:30 PM – President Bush addresses the nation on national television. |
The city will continue to reflect on 9/11 into the evening Wednesday as the Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers will assemble in the heart of the Historic District and performed a ceremonial remembrance ride down Sutter Street. Ladies then too a moment to pause on the historic foot bridge beneath the large illuminated American flag in honor of those who perished 22 years ago.
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