New Bedford’s Fire Dept. Remembers 9/11

The City of New Bedford remembered the 2,977 men and women killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks 15 years ago with a ceremony at the Downtown Fire Station on Sunday morning.

The memorial exercise started with a moment of silence at 10 am. At exactly 10:05, it was announced over the department's radio system that the South Tower collapsed at that moment in 2001.

After, Rev. Robert Oliveira said a brief prayer over the radio, followed by "return to service" for the men and women of the New Bedford Fire Department.

District Fire Chief Jim Clark tells WBSM News he remembers just getting home from his shift when he heard that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center.

"In the back of your head you're thinking that there's no way that this could have been an accident, but maybe there's a little inkling that you got that it's possible. Obviously, when the second plane hit [the feeling] was just anger, just tremendous anger," Clark said.

Mayor Jon Mitchell along with the New Bedford City Council was on hand for the ceremony.

Afterward, Councilor Kerry Winterson made a point to recognize New Bedford Fire Department members Norman Charbonneau, Matthew Ostiguy, Dennis Macedo, Thomas Carreiro, and Fire Chief Michael Gomes, who spent nine days helping with search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero.

Mayor Mitchell stressed the importance of being grateful to live in America, and to appreciate the everyday efforts of New Bedford's fire and police departments.

To further remember the tragic day, a large American flag has been displayed in front of the City's Main Library on Peasant Street.

Also, a piece of steel beam from the World Trade Center and an American flag flown in Afghanistan, donated by New Bedford resident and U.S. Army Veteran Craig Ribeiro, are on display in City Hall throughout the month of September.