Police, firefighters honor 9/11 victims

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- There are a number of events taking place across Connecticut in honor of September 11th.

All of America was attacked on September 11th, but it is especially personal for those who run towards danger and burning buildings when everyone else is running away.

"May they all rest in peace, with the honor they deserve, for they are truly heroes," said Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner.

• Photos: Connecticut remembers 9/11

Standing next to a piece of the World Trade Center in front of the firehouse, Fairfield honored the first responders lost on 9/11 and those serving today.

"These heroes from September 11th didn't throw on a cape and appear out of nowhere. They weren't characters out of a book. They were men and women, fathers and mothers who stood up one day and said 'That's the life for me,'" said Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara.

Of course, lots of cities and towns held 9/11 ceremonies on Tuesday. In Bridgeport, it was hard to miss the feeling of pride people have in their country 11 years later.

"We felt our country was threatened as it really was in a way that most of us living today had never felt before. And although it was 11 years ago, it feels strangely close to all of us and probably will for the rest of our lives," said Bridgeport's Mayor Bill Finch.

Nobody thinks it seems like 11 years since the nation was attacked, but everybody knows to thank the people in uniform.

"Because they have kept the torch burning for the brave brothers and sisters that we lost that day," Finch said.

That meant ringing the fire bell in honor of the 397 first responders who lost their lives saving thousands of civilians on September 11th.

Governor Dannel Malloy ordered that flags fly at half-staff on Tuesday for the 9/11 anniversary. Electronic signs along New Haven's Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge are also commemorating the anniversary.