Firefighters from Saskatchewan will not be standing shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues in the U.S. this year.
Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed 343 New York City firefighters plus several more who’ve died of illnesses related to the rescue efforts in the years since.
Usually, Regina Fire and Protective Services sends members to the annual event at the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs. It honours the sacrifice of American and Canadian firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty.
However, the event scheduled for Sept. 18 has been postponed due to COVID.
“I’ve been there and seen the walls from Sept. 11. It’s extremely sobering and humbling when you see the number of names on that wall from that particular date,” said Neil Sundeen, Regina’s deputy fire chief.
Instead, the 20th anniversary will be recognized internally. Regina Fire will hold a moment of silence and the flags at all fire halls in the city will be flown at half mast.