Avon FD Remembers Sept. 11 Attacks In Solemn Ceremony

Information via Avon Volunteer Fire Department

AVON, CT — Local firefighters Monday morning remembered one of the darkest days in the nation's history, one that saw hundreds of their firefighting brethren perish amid the 3,000 killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

For the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, it was the 21st year members remembered that infamous date, when four planes were hijacked by terrorists and crashed in each tower of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania.

According to the AVFD, the morning started with a "Tunnel to Tower Tribute" run from the Church of Saint Ann on West Avon Road to the Co. 1 Firehouse on Darling Drive at 6:30 am.

"We had members run in gear to in tribute to Stephen Siller, a firefighter who lost his life Sept. 11 when the towers collapsed," wrote the AVFD.

"He was off duty when the first plane crashed, he drove back as far as he could but had to stop at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. He then ran to the scene where he perished."

The ceremony started with the National Anthem followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and then a moment of silence.

Program Emcee John Carmon of Carmon Funeral Home gave a speech remembering the day 22 years ago.

The Firefighters Prayer was presented by Father George Roberts of St James Parish in Farmington.

Retired Avon Police Officer Sue Kassey read her memorial poem and was accompanied by the Sweet Adelines.

Meanwhile, the Avon High School Choral Singers performed, along with two students from the UConn Health Center.

"We thank Dom’s Coffee for providing refreshments. We thank everyone that was involved in the ceremony today," wrote the AVFD.

To see photos of the ceremony and event, click on this link.