The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department is inviting 343 members of the public to ring the fire bell and sign a guest book at Fire Station 6 on Friday, Sept. 11, in honor of the 343 New York City firefighters who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
- The ceremony will begin at 7:46 a.m., the exact moment in central time that the first aircraft struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower. The public is welcome to stop by anytime in the morning or afternoon.
“On this 25th anniversary of 9-11, we honor our fellow firefighters, who responded to this terrible tragedy in spite of the dangers they faced and sacrificed their lives for the safety of others,” Battalion Chief Matthew Baxley said.
A large American flag will hang from the ladder truck in front of the station, and the department’s vintage 1946 Chevrolet fire truck will be on display. Chick-fil-A has donated breakfast biscuits for the event.
Fire Station 6 is located at 5 Hollywood Blvd. NE.
The department will also display the large American flag during Fort Walton Beach High School’s football game against Milton High School, which begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Steve Riggs Stadium.
The station’s ceremonial bell was first used by the Detroit Fire Department in 1962 and was gifted to the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department in 2019.
