Firefighters Honor Fallen 9/11 Heroes in Small But Meaningful Ceremony

For the last nine years, the Strongsville Fire Department has made sure the New York City firefighters and police officers killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks were remembered. 

The fire department has a short but meaningful ceremony that usually escapes the public eye.

"We've never made a big deal out of it," Fire Chief Jeff Branic said. "It's just something we do."

Firefighters and police officers stand at attention outside the  for a short ceremony that includes the playing of Taps. 

A bell tolls five times, then pauses, and repeats that pattern three times.

Four fives mean "a firefighter has died in the line of duty," Branic said.

Sometimes, people passing by stop their cars to get out and watch. A few people who know about it sometimes attend.

But by and large, it's just Strongsville safety workers quietly honoring their fallen brothers.

Branic said the ceremony is piped by radio to firefighters manning the other three Strongsville stations so they can participate.

"There were a lot of 9/11 ceremonies the first few years, but then it kind of faded away, which in some aspects is a good thing," Branic said.

In addition to the safety forces' service, of Strongsville is hosting a at 6 p.m. on the City Commons.