Officials from Aurora’s police, fire, and city departments emphasized unity during the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Aurora Police Officer Andrew Soderlund noted that ensuring public safety requires collaboration, a sentiment also shared by Police Chief Matt Thomas. He highlighted the need for mutual respect despite differences, urging residents to support each other on essential matters.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch and interim fire chief Kevin Nickel spoke of unity, noting its importance in these divisive times. Nickel remembered six Aurora firefighters who helped with recovery efforts in New York City after the attacks. Reflecting on those times, he said, “At a time when our country feels deeply divided, perhaps one of the greatest ways we can honor those we lost is to remember how we responded. We stood together, and we helped one another, and we took care of our neighbors.”
Nearing the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, along with numerous others affected, nearly three dozen people, including families, and police and fire department personnel, gathered at the Aurora Police Department to honor the fallen. During the ceremony, the Aurora Police and Fire Departments’ Honor Guard saluted as the national anthem played, and a bell toll marked the exact moments of the World Trade Center attacks. A wreath-laying followed to honor those lost.
State Rep. Matt Hanson and several Aurora aldermen attended. Nickel recounted watching the second World Trade Center tower’s fall in disbelief at his fire station. Despite being 800 miles away, he and his colleagues prepared for Chicago’s defense, even sending firefighters to New York. He reflected, “A quarter of a century later, the anniversary of 9/11 means remembering what public safety does on a daily basis—going into danger when everybody else is running out.”
State Rep. Patty Smith also recalled how the attacks influenced Aurora’s school security, with measures like locked doors and ID checks. She observed that those who experienced the attacks firsthand should pass on its lessons to future generations. “I’m not saddened they missed it, but I hope that they somehow, somewhere along their lifetime get the understanding of what happened to us.”
Echoing this sentiment, Thomas advised choosing courage, respect, and shared purpose as ways to honor sacrifices and educate future generations. “May we continue to choose courage over fear, respect over contempt and shared purpose over division.”
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