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Aspen Fire hopes people ‘never forget’ in 23rd annual Day of Remembrance for Sept. 11 attacks

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Austin Colbert
  

Ritchie Zah, left, of the Aspen Fire Department, shelters under an umbrella while he performs Jay Unger's "Ashokan Farewell" during the 23rd annual Day of Remembrance for the 2001 terrorist attacks on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at the Aspen Fire Department.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks may have occurred 23 years ago, but for people like Aspen Fire Chief Rick Ballentine, that’s no reason to stop remembering and reflecting.

“Why do we still continue to hold the 9/11 ceremonies? The answer is very simple,” Ballentine said Wednesday. “We pledged to the world, and especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day, that we would never forget. And it is a promise I believe we should all keep, to not allow history to repeat itself.”

Ballentine was talking during the annual Day of Remembrance in front of the Aspen Fire Protection District station in downtown Aspen, a ceremony to remember the 2001 attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of roughly 3,000 people that day. On display in front of the Aspen fire station was a piece of metal from the Twin Towers, donated years ago by the New York City Fire Department.

Despite a little rain at the start of the ceremony, a respectable crowd still made it out for the event. Father Joe Grady of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Rabbi Itzhak Vardy of the Neshama Center both spoke after Ballentine, before Aspen Police Chief Kim Ferber and Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione also chimed in.

Aspen Fire Chief Rick Ballentine stands at attention during the 23rd annual Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at the Aspen Fire Department.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The honor guard displays a fire helmet during the 23rd annual Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at the Aspen Fire Department.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Naturally, Ferber focused on the 72 police officers who died as part of the Sept. 11 attacks.


“We are proud of the values, the determination, the selfless acts of devotion, and the love they demonstrated for others on the deadliest day in law enforcement history,” she said. “We also remember the families and friends who lost their loved ones and hold you in our hearts with great understanding that we could not serve without your support, your strength, or your devotion.”

Buglione, fighting off tears, mentioned how his young daughters were the only joy he found during that time, but also remembers vividly the kindness and unity shown by Americans in the days and weeks that followed.

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“We are here today to remember the day that changed the world,” he said. “On Sept. 11, as the Twin Towers fell and chaos ensued, our differences disappeared. In the face of this horrible attack, we did not ask about race, religion, or background. We reached out to one another simply because it was the right thing to do. Strangers became friends. In that moment of crisis, we stood united as one.”

Ballentine, in closing, also wanted to make sure people understood the Day of Remembrance isn’t just about reflecting on those lost, but for honoring those still alive today who are protecting our way of life, especially here in Aspen.

“We are privileged to live in a place of stunning beauty, with strong community bonds,” Ballentine said. “But we must not forget that our peace and safety is made possible by the combined sacrifices from all the responders, from local fire, EMS, Mountain Rescue, sheriff and police agencies, who all run toward danger when others seek shelter, so we can all sleep at night.”

acolbert@aspentimes.com

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