YFD, community remembers 9/11 with memorial

Multiple ceremonies were held in Yuma today to honor the 16th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

At the Yuma Fire Station #1, the Yuma Fire Department, joined by police officials and people of the community commemorated 9/11 and the fallen heroes who helped risk their lives.

Many residents telling us that 9/11 will always be an important date to remember because the threat of terrorism is still a threat and 9/11 reminds us how united of a country we need to be.

“I think it’s important to remember 9/11 because terrorism is real out there and we need to always remember that this country needs to be safe,” said Angel Herrera, a mother in Yuma.

Even 16 years later, we remember the exact moment the first plane hit one of the Twin Towers in New York. One resident, Erika Vazquez-Aguilar recalls how much it impacted her.

“I remember exactly where I was and that’s the majority of us. I had just come back from a conference in Chicago. Two days prior to that I was pregnant with my son and it was something that really hit close to my heart because of all the lives lost,” Vazquez-Aguilar recalls.

The special part of the memorial included the 9/11 memorial outside the fire station. The memorial stands proudly outside Fire Station #1 that includes a portion of the steel beam from one of the Twin Towers. It was implemented in 2013 by local construction workers and YFD personnel.

Mike Erfert from the Yuma Fire Department said that we have to honor those who risk their lives because of the fact that they pay the ultimate sacrifice when it comes to saving those in need.

“These are people that run toward the emergency as opposed to running away and the cost can be high. It’s a honor to be able to recognize and remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Erfert mentioned.

Residents and fire officials both mention that when they look back on 9/11, they remember how united we all were as a country.

“We’re all close and united and if people remember how we were united in those days and weeks following 9/11, this would be a much stronger and greater country,” Erfert added.

The event was held at Fire Station #1 at 6:30 p.m. on September 11th.