Augusta ceremony honors 9/11 sacrifices

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - Community members, local leaders and first responders gathered at the Maine Fallen Firefighters Memorial on Friday to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony was hosted by the Augusta Fire Honor Guard and IAFF Local 1650 to honor the lives lost in 2001 and recognize those who continue to serve in emergency services.

During her address, Sen. Susan Collins recalled the final words spoken over the radio by New York Fire Department Capt. Patrick Brown as he climbed the South Tower: “We’re still going up.”

“We may never know where the courage comes from to keep heading up when such danger comes the way of our first responders, but we must always honor it and never forget,” Collins said.

Collins also emphasized that the commitment to never forget extends beyond remembrance to supporting the thousands of responders and survivors who still battle chronic health consequences caused by exposure to toxic dust and debris at Ground Zero.