The ship’s bell tolled hauntingly as the names of each of the New York City first responders who died in the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center were read aloud during the annual remembrance ceremony on the USS Midway Museum’s flight deck.
Midway, once again partnering with the FDNY Retirees of San Diego, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, National City Fire Department, San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society and The Wounded Warrior Project, hosted the 24th annual memorial service honoring those who lost their lives while trying to save the lives of others.
“Every year it’s the week of September 11, not just the day of September 11 that I go through and process,” said David Blacksberg, a retired emergency medical technician who rescued multiple people from the North Tower during the attack. “I understand that I am blessed and lucky to still be here. I am a survivor, and I understand that survivor’s guilt is real. I always feel like I could have and should have done more.”
This is the 21st year the event has been held aboard Midway, and it was again a sobering remembrance highlighted by the echoing sounds of bag pipes, the crack of a 21-gun salute and the palpable air-pounding force of a helicopter flyover.
“It’s an honor for Midway to continue hosting this ceremony that is not only important to those who were on the scene in New York City that day, but to all Americans,” said David Koontz, Midway’s marketing director during his open remarks. “Although it’s been 24 years since the tragedy, we must continue to remember the selfless heroism of those who put their lives on the line for others. Remembrances like this on the Midway and others around the country will ensure that we never forget.”
There were 343 firefighters, police officers and other first responders who perished on that tragic September day in New York City, and, as of the end of 2024, more than 350 other emergency response personnel have died as a result of the illnesses and injuries they suffered.
“We stand here to honor the memory of the lives lost, and in support of the countless others whose lives were forever changed by the horrors of that day,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria before a crowd of more than 500 ceremony attendees. “It is a day that changed our nation. For most Americans, 9/11 is not just history; it is deeply personal. Today, we gather to fulfill a promise made 24 years ago, a promise that we would never forget the tragic events of September 11th, 2001.”
For Barbara Pandolfo, the terrorist attack is tremendously personal. Her only daughter, Dominique, who was attending a meeting on the 99th floor of the North Tower, died that morning.
“It took my life away,” said Barbara, who traveled to San Diego from New Jersey to attend the ceremony. “Everybody tells me how strong I am, that I keep getting up every day and putting one foot in front of the other. But they took the best and the brightest that day.”
In the days following that attack, nearly 100 emergency response personnel from San Diego traveled to New York City spending more than two weeks at Ground Zero.
“In the wake of the attacks, San Diegans answered the call,” said Mayor Gloria. “Our city’s sons and daughters stepped forward to serve, to defend, and to protect.”
“I also think that it’s not just ‘never forget 9/11,’ but always remember 9/12 and how we came together as a united front against terror and those who want to defeat us.”
“We were told to get ready to get in there,” remembered Ron Edrozo, who was a member San Diego Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8 at the time of the terrorist attack. “We all got our equipment together and made sure we had everything ready, and within five days we were gone. You train a lot and you hope that the training is going to prepare you for the worst. But until you see the worst, there’s no way you could imagine that much destruction.”
For David Blacksberg, the annual ceremony is more than just reflecting on the countless acts of heroism demonstrated that day, it’s an opportunity to draw the nation closer together.
“I offer as much as I can to speak and to educate on how important it is to remember that day,” said David, who was still working at the scene near the North Tower when the second plane struck “I also think that it’s not just ‘never forget 9/11,’ but always remember 9/12 and how we came together as a united front against terror and those who want to defeat us.”
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