23 years after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the community of Federal Way gathered at South King Fire Station 64 to honor first responders and the memory of that day.
This year, the audience had the honor of hearing not one, but two songs performed by Federal Way City Councilmember Jack Walsh. He first sang the National Anthem, then “America the Beautiful” later on in the event.
The speaker this year was A.J. Frank, who is a retired engineer and K9 handler with the Seattle Fire Department after serving citizens there for 37 years. He was also a volunteer firefighter in Federal Way from 1982-1984.
Frank had a retired search dog with him named Kersee, who did not help with 9/11, but did assist during the Oso mudslide and many other scenarios.
On 9/11, Frank was in the middle of a training with 30 of the “United States’ best search dogs” and within the week was on his way to Ground Zero with his dog Ohlin.
Once he got to the site, he and Ohlin “spent our time helping recover bodies so that we can find our loved ones.” He shared that at the time, “I was worried that he wouldn’t be able to do his thing, but he went down the ramp into ‘the pile,’ into the pit, and was able to find the remnants of humans.”
‘The pile’ is how many first responders referred to the center of the area of devastation after the attack.
Frank received the Lifetime Achievement Award for “his amazing ethic and customer service” in his role at the Seattle Fire Department.
Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang also spoke, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders.
“Their sacrifice reminds us of the resilience and the heroism that define our nation. Let us not forget the ordinary citizens who became extraordinary heroes in the face of adversity, their acts of kindness, compassion and solidarity showcase the unbreakable spirit that binds us as a country,” Hwang said.
South King Fire Lt. Ann Hoag played bagpipes and South King Fire Chaplain Cathy Muth shared a memorial blessing.
Reflecting on the day, local resident and District 30 state representative candidate Melissa Hamilton shared her memory of hearing the news of the attack while getting kids ready for school and preparing to attend class herself at St. Martin’s University. She shares that memory with her 18-year-old daughter and said, “to her, it’s just a story, but it’s important to keep those stories alive.”
Federal Way Lions member Bob Darrigan said he still remembers how everyone was drawn together after the tragedy. Remembering this brought him to reflect on the way this coming together also represents the American spirit and the importance of diversity.
“We’re not a melting pot, we’re a stew,” Darrigan said to the Mirror after the event. “We welcome people from every place and everybody brings their flavor.”
South King Fire Chief Dave Van Valkenburg acknowledged the families the victims and the survivors of 9/11.
“Their strength continues to inspire, and your loved ones will never be forgotten,” he said. “As we move forward, we carry the spirit of not alone with us, not just today, but every day, remember the sacrifices made, honor the lives of us, and work together to build a future worthy of their memories.”
Station 64 is the site of the “most complete 9/11 memorial on the West Coast” with items from all three of the September 11 crash sites.
These items include a limestone building block from the Pentagon, a steel beam from the World Trade Center, and a stone excavated from the field where Flight 93 crashed. Several other monuments add to the site, including a Callery Pear tree, a black granite wall with the names of the 2,977 people that died in the attack, and a pair of bronzed combat boots to honor the military personnel that battle global terrorism.
Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Chief Dave Van Valkenburg of South King Fire speaks at Station 64 at the 9/11 memorial tribute event held Wednesday. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Federal Way City Councilmember Jack Walsh performed the National Anthem at this year’s 9/11 memorial tribute event. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Members of the Federal Way Police Department and South King Fire Honor Guard at the permanent memorial at Station 64 in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Quentin Morris and Melissa Hamilton speak with Councilmember Jack Walsh and his wife Judy at the 9/11 memorial tribute. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Federal Way Emergency Manager Kevin Pelley at the 9/11 memorial wall in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Federal Way Police Department Chief Andy Hwang salutes during the National Anthem. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Chief Dave Van Valkenburg of South King Fire and retired engineer and K9 handler A.J. Frank and retired K9 Kersee. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
