Aurora Honors 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Calls for Unity

The city of Aurora marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, urging unity among its residents. City officials, along with police and fire departments, gathered to emphasize collaboration for public safety. Officer Andrew Soderlund highlighted the importance of teamwork in maintaining security.

Police Chief Matt Thomas stressed that despite differences, unity should prevail in crucial moments. “It does not mean we always agree,” Thomas stated. “Only that our differences should not stop us from showing decency, offering help and standing together on what matters most.” Mayor John Laesch and Interim Fire Chief Kevin Nickel echoed this sentiment, focusing on unity during divisive times.

Nickel recalled the efforts of six Aurora firefighters who assisted in New York City following the attacks. Reflecting on the division in the country, Nickel noted, “We stood together, and we helped one another, and we took care of our neighbors and 25 years later, we’re still capable of doing that.” Nearly three dozen community members, alongside fire and police personnel, assembled to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11.

The ceremony featured bell tolls marking the times the World Trade Center was struck, and a wreath-laying to honor lost lives. Soderlund, as the first bell rang, remarked on an entire generation growing up since the attacks. State Rep. Matt Hanson and several Aurora aldermen attended the event.

Nickel shared his personal memory of the attacks, feeling a deep helplessness as he watched the events unfold from a fire station in Chicago. This helplessness eventually turned into purpose as his station prepared for potential threats and sent support to New York. “Going into danger when everybody else is running out” is what public safety embodies daily, Nickel emphasized.

Aurora Alderman Patty Smith recounted her experience, holding her young child during the attacks. She acknowledged that current high school students have no personal memory of the event, but stressed the importance of teaching them its lessons. “I hope that they somehow, somewhere along their lifetime get the understanding of what happened to us because it can happen again,” Smith said.

Officials urged the passing of lessons learned from 9/11 to future generations. Chief Thomas concluded, “May we continue to choose courage over fear, respect over contempt and shared purpose over division. That is how we honor those things. That is how future generations will understand.”