On September 11th, 2025, commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that shook the United States, various departments in Los Angeles, including the fire department, police department, and city government, gathered in the city center for a memorial event. They rang the bell in remembrance of the victims of the tragic event.
Dave Badgett, who served as the Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department during the 9/11 attacks, told reporters, “For those of us who experienced it firsthand, we will never forget the scenes of that day. The pain and sorrow still linger till today.”
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four American commercial planes, crashing them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and other locations. These planes took off from Boston, Newark, and Washington D.C. en route to San Francisco and Los Angeles before being hijacked by the terrorists.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles expressed that the tragedy of 9/11 left countless families without their loved ones, and the pain of losing them remains vivid. She emphasized the profound impact the events had on the lives of many.
The 9/11 attacks marked the first time since the Pearl Harbor bombings in World War II that the United States faced a direct aerial assault from foreign forces on its soil, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths, including 343 firefighters. The psychological and emotional scars left on the survivors have been enduring.
Following the attacks, Los Angeles promptly dispatched two rescue teams to assist. One team focused on urban search and rescue operations at the scene, while the other provided emotional support to the rescue workers, helping them cope with the trauma brought on by the tragic events.
Chris Kawai, a former captain of the Los Angeles Fire Department who served as a paramedic at the World Trade Center site, recalled the harrowing scene of destruction. He described the area as resembling a movie set, with a haunting silence engulfing the atmosphere.
Reflecting on the rescue efforts, Badgett remarked that the rubble, smoke, and burning debris created an unprecedented and overwhelming emotional toll on those present. The devastation left an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.
Despite the lingering pain and trauma caused by the 9/11 attacks, Americans honor the memory of the victims through solemn ceremonies, highlighting the resilience and unity of the American spirit in the face of fear and violence.
In a memorial event held in downtown Los Angeles, with the towering 22-foot memorial monument of the collapsed Twin Towers as a backdrop, the county and city’s fire and law enforcement departments solemnly rang bells and played music to honor the fallen and express gratitude to the frontline emergency responders who protect the nation and community.
As the 24th anniversary of 9/11 was observed, President Trump, accompanied by the First Lady, delivered a speech at the Pentagon memorial event, underscoring the unwavering spirit of America in the face of terror and violence. Trump announced the posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative activist who was tragically killed just a day earlier while speaking at a university in Utah.
Reflecting on the passage of 24 years since the tragic events, Kawai emphasized the unity and selfless community support that emerged in the wake of 9/11, showcasing the patriotism and resilience that define the American people.
The 9/11 anniversary events coincided with heightened political tensions within the United States, as Kirk’s assassination sent shockwaves through American politics and society, further underscoring the need for unity and resilience in the face of adversity.