Fire department hosts ‘Spartanburg Remembers’ 9/11 event

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Fire trucks lined the street in Spartanburg as the city came together to remember those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks.

The Spartanburg Fire Department said this is the first year they have hosted the “Spartanburg Remembers” event.

They honored victims with a bell ring at the times the towers were struck, a wreath laying tribute, and by hearing from a retired New York Fire Department (FDNY) firefighter Mark Giannini.

“It was a daunting task,” Giannini said. “The towers were 110 stories but that day everybody came together, and it didn’t matter. Everybody was respectful to each other and hopefully one day we can get back to that.”

He said the way the community came together that day was a beautiful thing to see, while noting there was support from everyone involved.

“It doesn’t matter what color, race, creed you are, ” Giannini said. “It was everybody came together for that mission.”

He said, to him, he was just doing his job.

“We would do it again tomorrow if it happened, that’s just how the fire and police department are,” Giannini explained.

“It warms my heart to know that there’s still solidarity across the country as we remember, all of those who did lose their lives, trying to save others, no idea that they were never going to come back.” said community member Emily Nelson.

Nelson said, 23 years later, she still remembers exactly where she was and how she felt during the attacks.

“It was a lot of fear, a lot of disbelief that I will never forget,” she said.

“Today, no different than any other day in that we take this moment just to reflect and embrace each other,” Spartanburg Fire Chief Pierre Brewton said.

He said seeing the city’s fire and police departments surrounded by the community showed him just how much we can accomplish when we are united as a city.

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