Remembrance ceremony held at Winnebago County 9/11 Emergency Responders Memorial

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Wednesday, Winnebago County honored first responders who lost their lives 23 years ago during the tragic attacks on September 11th, 2001.

Local police, firefighters, medical responders, and supporters gathered at the Winnebago County 9/11 Emergency Responders Memorial, at the corner of W. State Street and Kilburn Avenue.

The memorial was built from steel artifacts from the World Trade Center.

Retired Rockford Firefighter Will Pederson said the fallout from the attacks are still felt to this day.

“The impact, 23 years later, is obvious. It’s greatly felt. It’s still ongoing and it’s going to continue,” Pederson said. “And so those firefighters, their families, their loved ones, and anyone else affected by September 11th, they are going to need our help and in support, our assistance. They need governments, whether they’re local, state, or federal, to step up and always keep them in their minds and hearts and remember what was sacrifice of September 11th.”

Rockford Fire District Chief Brian Carlson said 9/11 isn’t just an annual reminder to remember fallen first responders, but also for people to put aside differences and work toward a better tomorrow.

“After 9/11, you couldn’t go five feet without seeing an American flag in somebody’s yard draped on their car. It was everywhere. We felt a sense of pride being Americans, being part of a community. And we gathered together to support everyone,” Carlson said. “We need to get back to that, knowing that everyone can make a difference. Small ripples affect the large pond that largely we can make a difference in this community. We just need to get together and support one another.”

“Twenty-three years later, we can see that there is division and we’re in an election year. We know what’s going on. But let’s get beyond that because there are bigger things that are that are happening in our country and we can come together again. We can do that. And September 11th is just a date that represents what can be,” Pederson said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.