From the Sheriff's Desk: September 11th

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks on our country, I would like to take this opportunity and ask you to remember and reflect on that somber day. Remember the horror. Remember the heroism. Remember the way it stunned and united the nation.

For those too young or not yet born, the events of that day maybe be difficult to comprehend. But they must be.

The world will never forget the innocent victims and the brave heroes who rushed headlong into an unknown fate. The world will never forget the survivors, the devastated families and the grieving friends left behind.

More than 3,000 people died or remain missing following the attacks. They came from more than 80 different nations, from many different races and religions.

343 firefighters and paramedics perished at the World Trade Center (WTC).

23 police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers died at WTC.

2,000 children lost a parent, of them 146 children lost a parent in the Pentagon attacks.

One business alone lost more than 700 employees, leaving at least 50 pregnant widows.

It didn’t matter to the first responders where the victims of these attacks came from. They charged forward with the noble goal of evacuating everyone. Countless lives were saved thanks to the unwavering courage and honor of first responders.

In the years following September 11th, many more first responders would perish as a result of disease and sickness associated with toxins exposed at the attack sites. These valiant and heroic rescue efforts resulted in a very painful price.

Every one of the victims who died was the most important person on earth to somebody. We must never forget that.

The country became united that day. The unity of our nation on that day is still a vivid memory for me.

In closing, I ask you to take some time and educate our youth on the events of that day. Tell them about the sacrifices. Tell them about the innocent lives lost. Tell them about the togetherness we all experienced in the days, weeks and months that followed. Tell them we can unite as a Country for the good of all Americans. To me, that is the most important reflection of September 11th.

May God Bless the victims, the first responders and every American as we remember this solemn day.

Very respectfully,

Sheriff Craig S. DuMond

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