COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss -- The giant voice speakers crackled as the notes of morning reveille signaled the start of the duty day, the firefighters gathered in the vehicle bay at the end of their 48-hour shift. Tired and with stiff shoulders they circled together around a dark brass bell. Today was different; today they honored the fallen.
It was not a usual morning after all, it was in-fact the morning of September 11th, 2024, a solemn day for many and a time filled with reflection. Firefighters of the 14th Civil Engineering Squadron lined the bay to pay tribute to their fellow brothers that died during the horrific events that took place just 23 years prior.
Tech. Sgt. Jody Thomason, 14th Civil Engineering Firefighter, stood motionless beside the brass bell before the beginning of the ceremony. “Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attack,” said Thomason. “In a few moments we are going to observe a period of silence for the firefighters that responded that day... They responded so bravely and without question, they answered their final call.”
The gathered Airmen and their civilian counterparts stood to attention as Airman First Class Benjamin Dorris, 14th Civil Engineering firefighter, reached forward to ring the bell. Nine confident and crisp rings echoed heavily in the air, signifying a solemn tradition to note the passing of firefighters.
The history of the bell rings true as a time-honored signal in fire departments across the United States. The bell rings to signify a call to action; to mark the beginning or end of a shift, or the return to the firehouse and in the most somber circumstances it punctuates a firefighter’s final ride, similarly to the piercing notes of the bugle of a service member’s funeral.
“Remember...the many brave acts of September 11th, 2001. There are presently several families still grieving the loss of their loved ones because of those brave acts,” said Shawn Ricchuito 14th Flying Training Wing fire chief. “America came together while under attack and it was one of the darkest days in our history. It showed the greatness of what happens when people share a common bond, and they set their differences aside.”
Deep orange and yellow light seeped into the bay, framing the group of fire fighters as they stood silently, with purpose, together.
“We shouldn’t be angry; we should be concerned for the loss that many of us had to endure,” said Ricchuito. “Be thankful for what you have and remember that we are bonded by this fight for the greater good.”