(Bridgeport, CT – Sept. 11, 2014) – Mayor Bill Finch, Fire Chief Brian Rooney, Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. and members of City Council honored the 2,977 people killed in New York City, Washington, DC and outside of Shanksville, Pa., in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
On that day, 343 New York City firefighters died; 23 New York City police officers died and 37 Port Authority Police Officers died.
The City of Bridgeport held a ceremony outside the Margaret E. Morton Government Center this morning remembering and honoring the victims and heroes.
Mayor Finch and Chiefs Rooney and Gaudett released statements in recognition of the 13th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
"Sept. 11 will always be remembered as a day of tragedy," said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. "As a husband and father, I cannot imagine the pain endured by those who lost their loved ones due to this heinous display of terrorism. We must remember those who lost their lives, and pray for them, as well as the kids and families they left tragically behind. We must also remember the heroic acts of so many police officers and firefighters who, in the face of terror, worked selflessly to save lives and sacrificed their own. On this day, we will continue to mourn our innocent dead, and celebrate the heroism displayed by those who gave their lives to protect our nation."
“We still feel the sense of loss. Families kissed their loved ones goodbye and never saw them again. America lost 3,000 of its citizens whose only crime was going to work that day. We will always remember. I want to say to those people who died that day – rest in peace,” said Fire Chief Brian Rooney.
“The best thing we can do to honor their sacrifice is to make sure this never happens again,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr.