CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
So much has changed in the years since 2001, but chances are you remember that crisp clear morning in New York on Sept. 11.
On Tuesday, people around the country and right here at home reflected back on those heartbreaking events that unfolded.
On a bright sunny day, much like Sept. 11, 2001, Sherill Park came alive with the spirit of that tragic day. Veterans, City leaders and residents from all over the Coastal Bend gathered to remember those who lost their lives.
Speakers recalled the bravery of that day, and the heroism. Corpus Christi Fire Chief Robert Rocha remembered his fellow first responders.
"The Fire Department of New York suffered 343 fatalities, the largest loss of life of any response agency in history," Rocha said. "The Port Authority suffered 37 fatalities, the largest loss of life of any police force in history; and the New York Police Department suffered 23 fatalities, the second largest loss of life of any police force in history."
"It's always good to remember and never forget," veteran Michael Branch said. "Never forget their fallen heroes. Never forget them."
"My husband is a firefighter, and it's just important to the people that did lose their lives to just remember them and pay them respect on this day," said Valerie McAllister, a Corpus Christi resident.
"We're all Americans, no matter what our ethnic background is, and we need to remember all these individuals," resident Pat Villareal-Garcia said. "All these Americans that died in that tragic loss that even still today we think about and we pray over, because it's something that America will never forget."
Services just like the one at Sherill Park were held all over the country on Tuesday as we paused to remember.
