September 4, 2015 – On Friday, September 11, the Midland Fire Department will hold a brief ceremony in remembrance of the 2,996 lives lost on September 11, 2001, during the attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. These lives included 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel.
The presentation will take place at Midland Fire Station #1, 816 E. Haley St. Members of the community are welcome to attend to show respect for the fallen. Citizens should be at Station #1 by 8:20 a.m.
The ceremony will feature the tolling of the bell, a tradition for honoring fallen firefighters. Why bells? Long before telephones and radios, fire departments used the telegraph to communicate. When the handle was pulled on the once-familiar red fire alarm boxes found on nearly every street corner of America, a special code was transmitted to every fire station. In that regard, when a firefighter died in the line of duty, the fire alarm office would tap out a special signal. That signal was five measured dashes, then a pause, then another five measured dashes, another pause, and then five final dashes. This became universally known as the Tolling of the Bell, and was broadcast over all telegraph fire alarm circuits. This signal was a sign of honor and respect for all firefighters who had made the ultimate sacrifice, and has become a time-honored tradition.
For additional information, contact the Midland Fire Department at 989-837-3410 or send an e-mail to midlandfire@midland-mi.org.
