HutchCC Fire Science Department Continues 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

By Sarah Newberry
Staff writer
IG: @luv2dance43

9/11 – a day in history that has a significant impact on this country.

The Hutchinson Community College Fire Science Department at holds an annual ceremony to commemorate the lives lost. Many first responders lost their lives as well as people at the World Trade Center in New York. It shaped the way this country operates, and strict security measures are in place.

“For homeland security and all the grants we get, we are more prepared for everything we have to go through, and our airport situations are more strict and stringent because of 9/11,” said R.C. Watson, a faculty member of the fire science department.

Being a firefighter or first responder is no easy task, and it was especially challenging on 9/11. It is something seared in our memories from that day.

“As when the twin towers fell and as the Pentagon was attacked, we will never forget that,” Watson said.

9/11 was a somber day in 2001, and still to this day, it is, as noted in the ceremony.

“ You want to learn from the past. That’s why we hopefully have history, and history is part of our legacy, and hopefully we don’t want to repeat it,” Watson said.

When the attack on the twin towers happened, Dave Sawyer, a first responder and faculty member, was on duty.

“I was doing my report, and my driver came in and advised me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center, which there was always a thought that it may happen because it was in the flight path of the Kennedy Airport,” Sawyer said. “When he came in a second time and said a second plane had hit, I turned on the TV and saw the impacts, and I knew then this was no accident, this was an actual attack on our country.”

All those men and women that day were courageous, especially those who ran into the buildings to save lives.

“It’s the greatest loss of life of firefighters, and I always kind of admired them, and when they saw those towers burning, they decided to go up and try to save people,” said Ian Effland, a student of the fire science program.

9/11 revealed and exposed many things and scenarios that people didn’t expect. Being a firefighter in the past was physically demanding, but now it’s emotionally and spiritually demanding, as noted by Jeff Deal, a faculty member of the fire science program.

“It brings to the forefront that they have to be emotionally and spiritually prepared to do what this job may demand of them. Firefighters secure a corner of the foundation of humanity, and that we have to have people in society that are willing to do what needs to happen,” Deal said.

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