ELKHART — Dozens of Elkhart city firefighters, along with police officers, paramedics and EMTs, started their Thursday morning honoring their fallen brethren who died 24 years ago on what will be remembered as one of the most somber days in American history.
The Elkhart Fire Department’s September 11 Remembrance Ceremony took place outside the Central Fire Station adjacent to downtown Elkhart. Draped from the extended ladders of two firetrucks was a giant American flag, providing visual testament to the resilience of the nation and its first responders.
“We’re not only here to honor those we lost 24 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001,” EFD Division Chief Noah Lace said in his opening remarks. “We’re also here to confirm our commitment to serving, to unity and to community.”
Following Lace’s initial statements, a short video was displayed on a large, outdoor screen that was set up for the ceremony, featuring Patrick “Paddy” Brown, a FDNY fire captain who died in the collapse of One World Trade Center. The video included audio of radio transmissions of Brown’s communications as he climbed into the burning tower. When he was ordered by the command post to get out of the building, Brown’s response was, “This is the officer of Ladder Three. I refuse the order. I am on the 44th floor, and I have too many burned people. I am not leaving them.”
“These words remind us that courage is not found in action. It is found in conviction,” Lace said during Thursday’s ceremony. “Captain Brown shows duty over safety. He chose compassion over escape. This voice echoes through time not just as a firefighter, but as a symbol of unwavering humanity.”
Following the video, members of the Elkhart Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors of the United States, Indiana and the City of Elkhart, which was proceeded by the singing of the National Anthem.
Afterward, Brown explained that in the history of American fire service, communications were traditionally made through the telegraph systems, featuring blocks of alarms which were found on street corners, allowing citizens to alert the fire department that help was needed. The bells also were used to convey the terrible message that a firefighter had died in the line of duty.
To honor the firefighters and other first responders who died on 9/11, the replicated sound of those bells tolled across the morning’s assembly.
“We ring it now to honor our fallen brothers and pay tribute to their sacrifice,” Lace said. “We ring the last alarm, welcoming our brothers home for the last time, a job well done.”
As part of the morning’s ceremony, a wreath was laid in front of the 8-foot-tall replica of the Twin Towers that stands in front of the fire station. The red and white wreath was presented by the EFD Honor Guard.
Elkhart Fire Chief Rodney Dale served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. He also paid tribute to the fallen brethren, as well as commended the service of the firefighters under his command.
“Today we gather not only as civil servants, but as guardians of a legacy forged in courage, sacrifice and duty,” he said. “On this solemn day we remember the tragedy that unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that changed our nation forever. … Among the fallen were 343 firefighters who ran toward danger, not away from it. … Those firefighters had no idea that day would be their final roll call. They kissed their families goodbye, put on their gear and answered the call just as we do every day. They didn’t know they were walking into history. They didn’t know they were about to become legends. And yet they do what we all do. They showed up.”