San Francisco Honors the Fallen on 25th Anniversary of Sept. 11

San Francisco's fire, police and sheriff's departments gathered at a city fire station for a solemn ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, reading aloud the names of all 423 first responders killed that day. Mayor Daniel Lurie shared a deeply personal account of witnessing the first plane strike from street level in New York, while Fire Chief Dean Christman reunited the SFFD members who deployed to Ground Zero — and union leaders used the occasion to press for continued investment in first responder health.

• Mayor Lurie recounts witnessing the 9/11 attacks from feet away on his fourth day of work in New York
• Fire chief reunites the SFFD members who flew to Ground Zero on the first commercial flight out of San Francisco after the attacks
• Certificate of honor presented to the family of Captain Dan Armenta, who died of 9/11-related cancer in 2013
• Firefighters union president calls on city leaders to back first responders "every day, not just on 9/11"
• First-ever commemorative coin uniting San Francisco's three public safety agencies unveiled

---

"I Saw Things Feet Away": Mayor Lurie's Personal 9/11 Testimony

Why it matters: The mayor's firsthand account of that morning — and his direct connection of San Francisco to the tragedy through United Flight 93 and the SFFD's Ground Zero deployment — made the 25th anniversary ceremony a deeply personal affair for the city's highest-ranking official.

Where things stand: Mayor Daniel Lurie told the crowd he was on his fourth day of work at the Robin Hood Foundation in New York when the attacks began.

"I came up from the subway station just after the first plane hit the tower. I saw things that many of you saw on TV. I saw them feet away," said Mayor Lurie.

He described the experience as the defining moment of his career in public service: "What shaped the rest of my life and inspired me to lead the call to lead this city isn't just the tragedy that I witnessed on 9/11, but really how New Yorkers and this country and the world came together in that dark hour."

The mayor drew a direct line between San Francisco and the attacks, noting that United Airlines Flight 93 was bound for SFO carrying Bay Area residents who fought the hijackers and lost their lives preventing another strike. He also highlighted the 13 SFFD members who boarded the first commercial flight out of San Francisco to volunteer at Ground Zero for a week.

Lurie closed with a vivid memory from weeks after the attacks: being in Central Park and watching 10,000 people rise to give a standing ovation to two passing fire trucks. "San Francisco will never forget," he said.

---

Chief Christman Reunites Ground Zero Volunteers, Challenges Department to Stay Ready

Why it matters: As 9/11 recedes from living memory, the chief's remarks served as both tribute and institutional challenge — honoring the past while pressing the department to translate grief into preparedness for the earthquakes, wildfires and emergencies San Francisco will face.

Where things stand: Fire Chief Dean Christman invited the SFFD members who traveled to New York after the attacks to join him at the podium: Firefighter Marty Armenta (honoring his late father, Captain Daniel Armenta, who died of 9/11-related cancer in 2013), retired Deputy Chief Victor Wirsch, retired Deputy Chief John Fogarty, retired Fire Inspector Mike Cochran, retired Assistant Deputy Chief Kevin Salas and retired Deputy Chief Patrick Gardner.

"The devastation was overwhelming, but what stood out even more than the ruin was the resolve," said Chief Christman. "Firefighters, covered in dust, exhausted, grieving, still moved with purpose, still searched, still climbed, still hoped."

He then pivoted from remembrance to action, calling on the department to guard against complacency: "The lessons of 9/11 call us to sharpen our readiness, reinforce our training, and strengthen our relationships within the communities we protect." He specifically cited the need for physical and mental health support for firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.

Decisions: A certificate of honor was presented to the family of Captain Dan Armenta, accepted by his son Firefighter Marty Armenta, who currently serves at Fire Station 3.

---

Union Chief Demands Support "Every Day, Not Just on 9/11"

Why it matters: Hundreds of first responders have died from illnesses linked to toxin exposure at Ground Zero since the attacks — a toll that continues to grow. The union's advocacy for cancer screening and mental health services reflects active policy needs for San Francisco's public safety workforce, not just historical commemoration.

Where things stand: Local 798 President Samuel Gebler delivered the ceremony's most pointed policy message, noting the ongoing health consequences for those who served at Ground Zero.

"Hundreds of firefighters have died and other responders have died because of the air that they breathed in and the toxins and chemicals that they were exposed to," said President Gebler. He credited post-9/11 advocacy — by his predecessors and current elected partners — for advances in cancer testing, mental health awareness and workplace safety improvements for firefighters.

But Gebler made clear the work is not done: "We need your support every day. Not just on 9/11, not just on the 25th anniversary. And I'm proud that we have a Board of Supervisors and a mayor and a chief that have promised to continue supporting us after today."

---

Commemorative Coin Marks Historic Public Safety Unity

Where things stand: David Cruz, a trustee of the Guardians of the City, unveiled a commemorative coin marking the first time all three San Francisco public safety organizations — the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Sheriff's Department — along with their labor unions, have been united on a single keepsake. The coin depicts the Twin Towers, the beams of light, the Pentagon and 40 stars representing the heroes of Flight 93.

Cruz framed the moment in generational terms: "September 11th is beginning to slip from living memory into history. For the first responders here today who are early in your careers, you were either not born or too young to remember the tragic events as they unfolded."

Police Chief Derek Liu added that Sept. 11 was the deadliest day in American law enforcement history: "72 peace officers died that day responding to the attacks, evacuating buildings, pulling people out who couldn't get out on their own."

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto praised the SFFD members who deployed to New York, calling them "a powerful example of public safety professionals standing together in a time of crisis."

---

The Ceremony

The approximately hour-long event at a San Francisco fire station featured an invocation by Father Gutierrez, an honor guard presentation, bagpipes and the ringing of the bell. Members of Fire Station 4 read the names of all 343 FDNY firefighters killed on Sept. 11, Deputy Chief Gareth Miller read the names of eight EMS providers, and law enforcement leaders read the names of 72 fallen police officers. Arian Dell performed "Amazing Grace" and SFFD Paramedic Gerald Colbert sang "America the Beautiful."

• Robert Kassab of the SF Fire Credit Union presented a memorial wreath and highlighted the credit union's 75-year history and support for the SF Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation.
• David Harrison of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce presented a wreath on behalf of the business community.
• Among the public officials in attendance: Supervisors Connie Chan, Matt Dorsey, Bilal Makhmud, Rafael Mandelman, Danny Souder, Steven Sherrill, Alan Wong and Cheyenne Chen; State Senator Scott Wiener; Assemblymember Catherine Stefani; Lt. Gov. Eleni Kunalakis; Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres; and U.S. Attorney Craig McCasian.