'Honor them with how we live our lives' Middleboro chief says of Sept. 11 victims

MIDDLEBORO -- “Never forget.’’

Those words reverberated throughout the country following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years after terrorists forever changed America, Middleboro gathered Friday, Sept. 11 to honor those lost that tragic date and ensure that they are indeed not lost to history. 

“May we never forget,’’ Fire Chief Dana Fontaine said at a ceremony in front of the Central Street fire station. 

The ceremony, which included members of the Middleboro fire and police departments, began with a moment of silence. The flag was then ceremoniously lowered to half-staff and a bell tolled in memory of those lost.

Each toll of the bell represented a specific attack that day: Two into the World Trade Center, a third at the Pentagon and a final crash into a Pennsylvania field by passengers that attempted to overtake the plane and thwart another attack.

Fontaine praised the “incredible acts of bravery’’ shown that day by firefighters and police officers who risked and in many cases lost their lives to attempt to save others.

He also acknowledged victims who survived that day only to die years later from exposure to dust, dirt and toxins from the buildings’ collapse.

Although they are gone, their sacrifices should not be forgotten but should be remembered every day, he said, in the most overarching way.

“May we continue to honor them with how we live our lives.’’