Chicago Fire Department commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

Chicagoans woke to a clear blue sky and a light fall breeze Friday, just as they did 25 years ago. At Navy Pier, Chicago Fire Department members stood at attention for a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Many of the firefighters in attendance were too young to remember that day; others in attendance had caravanned in 2001 to New York City to help firefighters search through the rubble of the Twin Towers.

Dignitaries including Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Reps. Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez and Mike Quigley stood by but did not speak to the crowd.

Instead, a CFD chaplain offered a prayer for the departed as Chicago Fire boats floated off the pier and a CFD helicopter soared over the crowd. Bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” followed by an Illinois State Police trooper playing “Taps.”

The ceremony was a short and solemn reminder of another beautiful September day.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department participate in a moment of silence Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department participate in a moment of silence Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Members of the Chicago Fire Department honor guard perform a ceremonial bell ringing Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department honor guard perform a ceremonial bell ringing Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt hugs a supporter as members of CFD commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt hugs a supporter as members of CFD commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Members of the Chicago Fire Department participate in a moment of silence during a ceremony Friday at Navy Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department participate in a moment of silence during the ceremony Friday.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the Sept. 11 attacks during a ceremony Friday at Navy Pier.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

(From right) U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson join members of the Chicago Fire Department to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

(From right) U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson join members of the Chicago Fire Department during the ceremony Friday.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Cadets join members of the Chicago Fire Department to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Cadets join members of the Chicago Fire Department to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center are present Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier as members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center are present Friday during the ceremony at Navy Pier.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center are present Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier as members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center are present Friday during the ceremony at Navy Pier.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Cadets join members of the Chicago Fire Department to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Cadets join members of the Chicago Fire Department during the ceremony.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Members of the Chicago Fire Department commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Friday during a ceremony at Navy Pier.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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