A day of remembrance, honor for 9/11 first responders in Folsom

September 11, 2001, was 23 years ago, yet for so many Americans, the memory of that day will always be crystal clear. A ceremony to reflect on those memories and honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 was held at Folsom City's Lions Park on Wednesday morning. The ceremony was attended by members of the Folsom Fire and Police Departments and local dignitaries such as Mayor Mike Kozlowski, Senator Roger Niello and Assemblyman Josh Hoover. Pastor Daniel Vang from Mount Olive Lutheran Church led the audience in a prayer, and Gillian Highland of Vista del Lago High School played Taps. Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano told The Folsom Telegraph he will never forget the disbelief and shock he felt when he heard about the terrorist attack. "When this happened 23 years ago, I can remember exactly where I was. I was over at the old station 35. I was a firefighter at the time and I was in disbelief," said Chief Cusano. "I thought it was fake. And now as the years go by, you start realizing how young a lot of those individuals were that rushed into those buildings. And that just shows you what true heroes they were. They were going in to save people not knowing that the building was going to collapse." Despite the horrific tragedy of 9/11 and sorrow over first responders who lost their lives – heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice – the tone during Wednesday's ceremony was also one of optimism about resilience of the American spirit. Hoover said he recently talked to his children about 9/11, because it's critical that the memory is passed down to younger generations. Yet Hoover said what made an eternal impression on him was how Americans rose up and unified weeks and months after the attack. Hoover shared his most vivid memory post-9/11: Major League Baseball officials resumed games after putting the season on hold, and the Arizona Diamondbacks were in the World Series against the Yankees. President Bush's security team wanted him to throw the first ceremonial pitch during an Arizona game because they felt it was safer. "There was a lot of fear in those early days. (His team said) 'We don't want you to be in New York.' And President Bush rejected that plan. Instead, he and his team flew to Yankee Stadium in game three of that World Series," explained Hoover. "He put on a bulletproof vest and a New York Fire Department jacket and he walked out on that field and he threw a strike over home plate in front of the whole world. And I think about the cheers that erupted from that stadium, and to this day, the memories I have of that moment, stay with me. Because I think it really was a testament to the American spirit; that the American spirit will always triumph." Longtime Folsom residents Rene and Tanya Morales attend this 9/11 ceremony every year. They both have relatives who served in the military, so the day holds special meaning to them. Tanya attended the ceremony draped in a striking scarf of the American flag. "I wish things had changed, especially as we're remembering every year, but unfortunately I don't think it has," said Tanya. "I feel that actually now we have more concerns about having another 9/11. So it's important that we remember this, talk about it, share it with our kids and remember and be aware." Rene and Tanya said they not only honor first responders of 9/11 on this day but also local first responders who keep the Folsom community safe and put their lives on the line every day. "Our police and fire department here in Folsom, we are very proud of. This is a safe community and sometimes people think, oh this is safe, why do we need more police? Well, we need police because it is safe because of our police," said Rene. "And that's really what we're here to do, is honor our police and fire department and to let them know that we appreciate their presence here and we support them 100 percent." That's another memory Folsom Fire Chief Cusano said he will never forget: After 9/11, Folsom residents rallied around their first responders, with a clear message of gratitude. "Our local community here was incredible," said Cusano. "It was almost every single day people would bring stuff by, they would put flowers out by our flagpole, baked goods they would bring by just to show their appreciation of what we do." Tanya said she is grateful for all the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping the community and country safe. This is why she attends this ceremony every year, and always will, for the foreseeable future. "Thank you to our military, we're very grateful and grateful for our Folsom PD and Fire," said Tanya. "We're very supportive of them and very grateful for the community and love living in Folsom."