Law enforcement honors the lives lost on 9/11

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - 23 years ago, nearly three thousand Americans died after terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Centers, Pentagon and a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Today, the sacrifice of the hundreds of first responders who died trying to rescue survivors was remembered by the The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Foundation and Police Unity Tour at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

“We lost 37 officers that morning. I knew most of them. It was just a day you just don’t forget,” Dr. Peter Killeen, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.

“It’s a sacred day,” Peter Andreyev New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association said. “ All the sacrifices those off officers did on that day. And all the officers that went since, in the days of the aftermath in the operations and cleanup that they did.”

72 officers died on 9/11. Any officer who was at 9/11 will have their names etched in stone here.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, the names of those who died because of 9/11 were read.

For many of the surviving first responders, 9/11 isn’t over. Injuries and illness still plague and kill too many men and women.

“The story continues because, we have law enforcement officers that are now ill as a part of their rescue and recovery,” Patrick Montuore, CEO & Founder of Police Unity Tour. “These officers continued to work at the pile knowing they were contaminated by what’s in the air.”

Nearly a quarter century later, educating younger generations about the sacrifice of these men and women and the fragility of our safety and freedoms are paramount.

Bill Alexander – CEO National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund 1:33-1:48

“The terror attacks are one of many reminders that we try and tell the story of here in this museum,” Bill Alexander said. “Freedom is not free. Men and women in uniform put their lives on the line.”