Ceremony Held to Remember and Honor the Fallen of 9/11

Watch the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony. 

A bell at the 9/11 Liberty Memorial Fountain rang 15 times to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The Tolling of the Bell is a time-honored tradition among firefighters to recognize fallen comrades who died in the line of duty. The tradition calls for the bell to ring in three sets of five tolls for those who gave their lives in answering the call of duty.   

The Tolling of the Bell has become customary in 9/11 remembrance ceremonies.    

Prince William County Chair-At-Large Deshundra Jefferson reminded people gathered at the fountain, located at the Prince William County government center, that Sept. 11 was a day to honor the memory of those who were lost 23 years ago.  

“We remember the friends whose laughter is missed. We remember the neighbors who always gave a helping hand. We remember the parents who never had a chance to tuck their kids in one last time,” Jefferson said. “We also remember the first responders whose selfless commitment to their community compelled them to do the extraordinary that day and in the days that followed. None of them woke up that morning expecting to be a hero, but they stepped up when the world needed them.”   

“Our community is smaller than it should be, and that pain never goes away,” Jefferson continued. “I would like to take a moment to read the names of those who lost their lives but are forever memorialized on this fountain.”   

Prince William County Executive Chris Shorter said that honoring the fallen means remembering those mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbors who were lost that day.  

“We come together each year at this time to reflect on a day that reshaped history and to pay tribute to the enduring spirit of resilience and bravery that emerged from those dark moments,” Shorter said. “The extraordinary courage, unwavering resolve and remarkable perseverance displayed by ordinary Americans on that fateful day reminds us of the strength within us all.”   

Shorter also spoke of the firefighters, police officers and other public safety personnel who rushed toward danger while others ran away.   

“This day is also about honoring the men and women who embody courage and sacrifice—our first responders,” Shorter said. “On that morning, as chaos, confusion and destruction gripped the country, our first responders acted without hesitation, with only one thought in their minds: to save lives.”    

Prince William County Fire and Rescue System Chief Thomas LaBelle spoke of the 1814 Battle of Fort McHenry, where the flag remained flying through the fight and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” when the country didn’t yet know what it would become.  

“Two hundred years later, we were attacked again; and we found out who we are and who we can be and who we will continue to be,” LaBelle said. “We will remember this day.”    

The first hijacked airplane hit the first tower of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:46 a.m. The second plane hit the second tower at 9:03 a.m. At 9:37 a.m., the third plane hit the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa., at 10:03 a.m. In all, 2,977 people perished that day. 

Following is a list of the 22 Prince William County residents who died at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. 

• Sergeant First Class John J. Chada, U.S. Army, Retired 

• Petty Officer Third Class Jamie L. Fallon, U.S. Navy 

• Amelia V. Fields 

• Lt. Col. Robert J. Hymel, U.S. Air Force, Retired 

• Sergeant Major Lacey B. Ivory, U.S. Army 

• Judith L. Jones 

• David W. Laychak 

• James T. Lynch, Jr. 

• Gene E. Maloy 

• Robert J. Maxwell 

• Molly L. McKenzie 

• Craig J. Miller  

• Diana B. Padro 

• Rhonda S. Rasmussen 

• Edward V. Rowenhorst 

• Judy Rowlett 

• Donald D. Simmons 

• Jeff L. Simpson 

• Cheryle D. Sincock 

• Chief Information Systems Technician Gregg H. Smallwood, U.S. Navy 

• Sergeant Major Larry L. Strickland, U.S. Army 

• Sandra L. White 

Ron Dionne, a member of American Legion Post 364 in Woodbridge, attends the 9/11 ceremony every year and says recalling the day is important.   

“People still remember, and it’s important that they remember,” Dionne said. “We forget the past, but this is one of those few instances where we all come together with a common purpose. We should remember a bit more often.”