Belleville remembers 9/11 sacrifices, unity and patriotism at annual ceremony

Belleville observed its 13th annual day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at Belleville firehouse No. 4, along the 9/11 Memorial Walkway.

Mayor Patty Gregory opened with an emotional speech, recalling an incident she had been told about a firefighter who gave an onlooker his wife’s phone number and told them to tell her he loved her before running into one of the burning towers.

“It is our duty to never forget those sacrifices,” Gregory said.

Fire chief Stephanie Mills and Police Chief Matthew Eiskant spoke to emphasize the heroic actions of the first responders on that fateful day. Mills recalled that she was only a year into her career as a firefighter on 9/11.

“All I could think of when that happened was how those firefighters must have felt,” Mills said, growing emotional, “and now, all I can think of is how the fire chief felt. When you gain rank as a first responder, the more lives you are responsible for.”

“9/11 resulted in levels of patriotism and unity previously unseen in my generation,” Eiskant said.

This year’s guest speaker was Col. Steven Puthoff, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, G3, Scott Air Force Base, who reiterated the bravery of the first responders, the unity of the country afterward the attacks, and the patriotism he felt in serving.

“We came together as the greatest country on earth,” Puthoff said.