‘May the memory of sacrifice inspire us’: Suburban communities gather to honor lives lost on 9/11

Twenty-four years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 left thousands dead and a nation scarred, communities around the suburbs gathered to keep their promise to never forget.

In Schaumburg, fire and police personnel, village employees, elected officials and local residents gathered around the Public Safety Memorial near Fire Station 51 to honor the lives lost.

In his invocation, department chaplain and St. Peter Lutheran Church Pastor Jerry Hays paid homage to both those who died trying to save others and “the families forever changed.”

“May the memory of sacrifice inspire us to love one another, to serve faithfully and to seek peace in our time,” Hays said.

The event included an honor guard and a rendition of the national anthem by Schaumburg High School students Mia Aternino and Olivia Concialdi.

Firefighters saluted during the “last alarm” bell ceremony, three rings in succession, followed by three more and then a final five. A three-volley rifle salute was punctuated by the playing of taps.

A moment of silence honoring those lost on Sept. 11 followed, the silence broken by a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace by Jeff Harris of Rolling Meadows.

The program was especially poignant for Schaumburg Fire Chief Jim Walters, who was leading the ceremony for his final time. He’s retiring at the end of the day Friday.

Walters has spent almost 40 years in the fire service and has led the Schaumburg department since 2017. He was working in Skokie during the time of the terror attacks and went to New York with fellow firefighters to assist with funerals and to pay their respects at ground zero.

“Obviously, it’s a very emotional time for the fire service and those in public safety,” he said. “This year was a little more poignant. I tried not to get choked up.”

In Wheaton, about 150 people attended a remembrance ceremony at the Memorial Park band shell.

Police Chief Princeton Youker read the officer’s prayer, while Fire Chief Robert Brill acknowledged the men and women who serve their community every day, in addition to those who died in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

“This is our opportunity to reflect on the events of this day, 24 years ago,” Brill said, “a time to honor and remember the many lives lost, including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, military personnel and civilians.”

• Daily Herald photojournalist Brian Hill contributed to this report.