Sedona Fire District Pays Tribute to 9/11 Heroes

On September 11, 2023, the Sedona Fire District will hold its annual memorial ceremony at SFD Station No. 6, located at 2675 State Route 179. The observance will commence at 8:46 a.m., marking the exact moment when American Airlines Flight 11 collided with the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 2001. Following the ceremony, a community breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, coffee, and juice will be offered to attendees.

Community members are encouraged to arrive by 8:30 a.m. Parking will be accessible at the Christ Lutheran Church on Chapel Road, ensuring convenience for participants.

Helen McNeal, Chairwoman of the Sedona Fire District Governing Board, emphasized the significance of the gathering. “The wonderful thing about having the pancake breakfast is that we’re coming together as a community to honor not just firefighters but all the individuals who lost their lives on September 11,” she stated. McNeal underscored the importance of collective remembrance.

During the ceremony, remarks will be delivered by McNeal, Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow, and Fire Chief Ed Mezulis. McNeal, who has personal ties to the events of that day, reflected on friends lost at the Pentagon, making the day particularly meaningful for her. “It’s a day that’s very real and very important, and one that I think we always need to honor,” she remarked.

The event serves as a poignant reminder of the 2,977 victims who perished during the attacks across New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Dori Booth, Chief of the SFD Risk Reduction Division, noted the importance of this annual observance. “As generations pass, there are people now that were born who don’t know a pre-9/11 world,” she said. This memorial allows the community to remember and ensures that the sacrifices made on that day are never forgotten.