NAMPA, Idaho — Today marks 22 years since the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center which cost nearly 3000 Americans their lives. The Nampa Fire Department hosted a remembrance ceremony at 8 a.m. today at Station 1 to honor those who died and all of the first responders.
It's a day that for many can never be forgotten.
Battalion Chief Keith Elkins with the Nampa Fire Department, says, “The thing I remember the most was just thinking about their firehouses that morning before the call came in and how they were so similar to ours. You know their day started with coffee just like ours did. They hang out they drink coffee, they're waiting, developing the plan for the day."
Elkins had been a firefighter for six years at the time of the attack and was on shift that morning when he received a phone call urging him to turn on the news.
“We didn't all have cellphones then. And so they called the station to tell us to turn on the news and we did. And like everybody, that's where we planted ourselves over the next few days to witness the tragedy,” recalls Elkins.
A tragedy surrounded by confusion, sadness, and grief... the entire country was shifted after that day, even in South Dakota. Retired Chief Ranger Mark Gorman, who now lives in the Treasure Valley, was working for the Badlands National Park during the attack. Although not on duty at the time, he was ready to protect his country.
"It was quite a time, as federal officers across the country we're called up for duty to protect icon spots because we had no idea what would come next or if there would be something else," says Gorman.
After remembrances of that tragic day that defined a generation, a moment of silence was held for the firefighters who put their lives on the line.
22 years later, we reflect on this day with our heads, our hearts, and our country's flag held high.
