South County Fire honors 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
Published 12:00 pm Friday, September 11, 2026
EDMONDS — On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, dozens gathered at South County Fire Station 17 to honor the nearly 3,000 killed that day.
Retired firefighter Dave Erickson led the ceremony Friday at the station’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park in downtown Edmonds. The park features a 1-ton beam recovered from the World Trade Center, along with a display of about 3,000 tiles, representing the lives lost. Of the tiles, 343 are colored red to represent firefighters and 60 are blue to represent police officers.
In the crowd were community members, elected officials and a group of South County firefighters.
“It’s almost like a family reunion to see all these faces back again, and even though it was a tragedy to bring us together, we come together stronger than we were before,” Erickson said. “If 9/11 did one thing, it was unite America again — not just Republicans, not as Democrats — as Americans, and we need to remember that.”
Erickson acknowledged retired South County Fire Capt. Andy Speier, who was a former firefighter in New York City. Shortly after the attacks, Speier traveled to New York to help recover victims. On Friday, Speier was in New York speaking at a ceremony and meeting with survivors and family members.
Erickson told the story of Speier’s journey to New York after the attacks.
“When air traffic resumed, (Speier) was waiting at Sea-Tac, gear packed and trying to find a flight amongst throngs of stranded passengers,” he said. “Another passenger noticed his helmet and asked where he was going, and he replied, ‘New York.’ And the stranger turned to him, handed him his ticket, and said, “You’re going to need this more than I do.’”
In Mayor Mike Rosen’s address to the crowd, he said that while there are traditionally five stages of grief, the country went through closer to seven on 9/11.
“First confusion, then disbelief, fear, helplessness, a lot of anger and then grief,” he said. “But then, almost immediately, there was solidarity. We saw it everywhere. People were running towards danger. People were standing in long, long lines to give blood. People were doing anything they could do to help.”
Erickson also honored the more than 9,000 lives lost since the attacks due to 9/11-related illnesses and cancers. On Tuesday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released about 170,000 records related to the attacks, including information about health concerns and air quality. Since 9/11, more than 450 New York firefighters have died due to illness related to the attacks.
Currently, occupational cancer is one of the leading causes of death for firefighters nationwide, Erickson said.
“These firefighters standing before you are some of the best of what humanity has to offer,” Erickson said. “In spite of the risks they face, they continue to serve. I have been honored to work alongside some of the most dedicated and professional people I have ever met.”
Other 9/11 rememberances were held throughout the county Friday, including by North County Fire in Stanwood and by Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue in Monroe.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
