‘They did good, they did right’: Orange County remembers those lost to Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

As the moment drew near when the first plane slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center 24 years ago, Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy recounted just a few of the acts of heroism and selflessness that marked that dark day in America’s history.

Standing in front of the 11-foot-tall memorial to the agency’s own fallen firefighters, Fennessy addressed a gathering of firefighters and community leaders for an early morning Sept. 11 commemoration ceremony. Later, he participated in the annual remembrance hosted at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda.

During the ceremony at the OCFA headquarters in Irvine, Fennessy talked of firefighters who ran into the burning towers, risking their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and office workers who, though untrained, did what they could to help colleagues injured or in need of assistance trying to flee the burning buildings.

And he remembered the efforts of those who dug through the toxic debris looking for survivors — and then later to recover those who had been entombed — developing cancers and other illnesses.

“In their last moment and time on this earth, they did good, they did right, and in doing so, they made the ultimate sacrifice to serve to save others,” Fennessy said. “One of our nation’s darkest hours produced some of our nation’s brightest heroes.”

His final message: There are first responders and others today who continue to run toward danger.

That is the “challenge,” he said, “that all first responders, and really all human beings, face in life, to have the depth of character and the strength of courage to be that selfless spirit when it counts the most.”

The morning also included a ringing of the bell ceremony by an OCFA honor guard, with a fire engine stationed behind them, a large American flag hanging from its ladder and its crew standing at attention. Around Orange County on Thursday, commemorations were planned.

“For me, we bring the greatest honor to those who perished on 9/11 by what we do in our daily lives,” Fennessy added. “How we support each other in good and challenging times. How we live by the values of courage and care. How we bring light in a moment of darkness, benevolence in a time of need and selflessness in an hour of desperation.”