Aurora police, fire, and city officials gathered on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony served as a reminder of the importance of unity in ensuring public safety, particularly in diverse communities like Aurora.

Aurora Police Officer Andrew Soderlund emphasized the significance of working together, with Police Chief Matt Thomas reiterating that unity does not require agreement, but rather mutual respect and cooperation on critical issues.

Both Aurora Mayor John Laesch and Interim Fire Chief Kevin Nickel highlighted the need for unity during these divisive times. Nickel recalled the efforts of six Aurora firefighters who assisted in New York City post-attacks, suggesting that remembering this cooperative spirit honors those lost.

“At a time when our country feels deeply divided, perhaps one of the greatest ways we can honor those we lost is to remember how we responded,” Nickel stated. “We stood together, and we helped one another, and we took care of our neighbors and 25 years later, we’re still capable of doing that.”

The event attracted nearly three dozen attendees, including young children and numerous fire department and police department members. The ceremony, held at Aurora Police Department, paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11 and its aftermath.

During the commemoration, members of the Aurora Police and Fire Departments’ Honor Guard saluted as the national anthem played. A wreath was laid, and an American flag hung over the crowd. Bell tolls signaled the precise times the World Trade Center towers were hit.

Officer Soderlund remarked on how a generation has grown since the attacks, echoed by Interim Fire Chief Kevin Nickel, who recalled the profound impact on his career. He described feeling an “overwhelming helplessness” watching the events unfold in a fire station.

“We’re trained to go in and help, but we were 800 miles away,” Nickel said, noting how that helplessness eventually transformed into purpose as preparations for potential attacks and assistance to New York were organized.

Aurora Aldermen Patty Smith and Edward Bugg, among others, were present, emphasizing the necessity of imparting lessons learned from the attacks to future generations.

Smith shared her experience, describing a moment during the attacks when concerns about her child’s safety weighed heavily on her mind.

“I’m not saddened they missed it, but I hope that they somehow, somewhere along their lifetime get the understanding of what happened to us because it can happen again,” Smith expressed. She acknowledged the lasting impact on Aurora schools, leading to enhanced security measures over the years.

Chief Thomas underscored the importance of sustaining values such as courage, respect, and shared purpose to honor the lessons of 9/11 effectively long into the future.