El Centro remembers lives lost on 9/11

First responders gathered at El Centro Regional Medical Center - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) hosted a ceremony in honor of all the lives lost on 9/11.

Paramedics, firefighters, and even police from El Centro attended the ceremony. Representatives participated in a moment of silence and raised the American flag.

Brad Chapin, the Battalion Chief of the El Centro Fire Department, said that he was on a plane when the attack at the World Trade Center happened. "I was actually getting ready to depart on a plane during 9/11," he said.

Chief Chapin said that it is important to never forget 9/11. He says generations to come should always honor those who have fallen and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Dr. Adolphe Edward is a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force. He says he will forever remember the lives lost that fateful day.

“I was actually taking my boss he was a two star general to a meeting and as soon as the first plane hit he stopped and looked at me he goes what do you think? I go sir… this is Osama Bin Laden,” he said.

20 years later, Bill Dubois with the El Centro Regional Medical Center reminds us what it means on 9/11.

"So today we had a ceremony where we had reps from the local police and fire department show up, and what we are doing today is honoring those people who are willing to step up at a moments notice,” he said.

Many who gathered here hope generations to come will continue to honor those who have fallen.

If you’re In the Imperial Valley, there will be a stair climb event on September 11 at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds. The event start at 8 p.m. and members of the public are welcome to join.