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9/11 Still Unites Communities Through Courage and Remembrance

by David Volz September 11, 2025

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Sal D’Angelo, a retired FDNY members who was on duty at the towers during the 9/11 attacks. {David Volz}

Sal D’Angelo will never forget the morning of 9/11/2001.

He was a member of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and was gradually becoming aware that a terrorist attack was underway. He remembers doing everything he could to save people and being covered in smoke and debris from the falling buildings.

“When the planes hit the towers, there was total chaos. Because of the smoke, I could not see anything, but we had to work to save lives. It is important that we never forget the 9/11 attacks,” D’Angelo said.

As one of the speakers at the Margate Patriot Day Ceremony at Firefighters Park on the morning of September 11, D’Angelo said he believes 9/11 ceremonies should be solemn occasions to honor those who died in the attacks. He also wants people to realize that many people who were involved in the rescue operations after the attacks have suffered and died over the years.

Fire Chief Roberto Lorenzo spoke during the Patriot Day Ceremony.

Margate Patriot Day Ceremony

Fire Chief Roberto Lorezno spoke and encouraged people to remember the firefighters who died on 9/11 and to support first responders who put their lives at risk while on duty. When the bell rings and a call comes into the station, firefighters don’t know the situation they are about to face, but they willingly accept the risk, according to Lorenzo.

Mayor Arlene Schartz spoke about the significance of 9/11 and how it brought the nation together. “The nation was shaken, and the first responders rushed in to save lives. We united and showed our resilience,” she said.

The ceremony included a gun salute and playing taps to honor all the fire responders who died while working to save lives during the 9/11 attacks. A firefighter tradition known as striking the four fives was observed. To a firefighter, the sound of a bell can mean the beginning of a shift or a call for help. Departments also sound a series of bells when a firefighter dies in the line of duty to alert all members that a comrade has made the ultimate sacrifice, according to fire department information.

Retired firetruck that commemorates those who died in the 9/11. attacks

There were retired New York firefighters at the ceremony and former local firefighters. As they conversed, some lamented the reality that younger people only know of 9/11 from historical accounts.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.