Today's moving memorial ceremony at Branford Fire Headquarters marked the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 3,000 people, including many brave first responders rushing in to help.

Branford Fire Department (BFD) and Branford Police Department (BPD) participated jointly in the ceremony organized by Branford Second Selectman Joseph Higgins. Higgins, a retired veteran of the New York Fire Department (NYFD), was deputy director of dispatch operations in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, manning NYFD's main communications dispatch center during the attack and collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Among 343 NYFD first responders who died that day, Higgins lost 79 personal friends.

At today's ceremony, Higgins asked everyone present, but especially the teens there to perform with Branford High School (BHS) Music Makers, to "never forget."

"Never ever forget this day; because a lot happened on this day fourteen years ago that affected the whole country," Higgins told them, later adding, "Being in the fire department for 41 years in New York, and having been the responder commissioner for the day of this tragic event, I saw first-hand what happened...it's something I'll never forget."

Fire Chief Thomas Mahoney and Chief of Police Kevin Halloran helped open the ceremony, attended by a gathering of about 50 outside fire headquarters. Ladder trucks aside the building flew American flags from extended ladders. Honor guards from both departments surrounded the central flagpole and a firefighter's folded turnout gear and helmet was laid atop the department's entry monument.

BFD chaplain Rev. Sharon Gracen gave the opening prayer and BPD chaplain William Keane the closing prayer. At 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m., Police Captain Geoffrey Morgan called for a moment of silence to mark the time each tower was struck on this day in 2001. Putting his police radio to the microphone, Morgan then shared a live 9/11 dispatch message being radioed to on-duty officers.

Led by Cathyann Roding, BHS Music Makers sang the National Anthem and other musical selections. Chief Mahoney explained the traditional five bells rung to signify a fallen first responder; followed by the sounding of the bell; and three members of the police department fired a rifle salute in the distance. Both police and fire department members assisted with raising and lowering the American flag before returning it to half-mast.

First Selectman James B. Cosgrove echoed Higgins' hope that the youngest generation carries the significance of Sept. 11, 2001 forward with them.

"We made a vow as a nation to never forget that day, but also to never to forget what it brought out; as individuals and a nation. Never forget the bravery and the heroism of the firefighters and police and other fist responders; the innocent lives that were lost that day, and the feeling that each of us had after that," said Cosgrove. "Those that were too young to remember, or not even born yet, they did not experience that; and hopefully they never will have to experience that pain and sorrow that we all felt as a nation. But let's make sure they never forget the ideals and values that built this country, the bravery that built this country, and who we are as a nation."