LAKEVILLE — Continuing a 24-year-old tradition, the Lakeville Fire Department held their annual Remembrance Ceremony to honor the lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Town officials, community members and Lakeville Fire and Police Department personnel attended the ceremony Thursday morning, where respects were paid to the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks, including 343 firefighters.

“We have some people entering into the workforce that weren't even born when this happened,” said Fire Department Deputy Chief Pamela Garant. “It's really important that we carry on this tradition, and that we teach people what happened, educate them and never forget the sacrifices that people made.”

Before the ceremony, the department called on off-duty first-responders to respond to two “back-to-back” ambulance calls shortly before the event started. Garant said she was glad the off-duty personnel could respond to the calls, which allowed the ceremony to continue through the morning.

“The whole [ceremony] is about reflecting on their sacrifice while simultaneously continuing their honor by putting forth our efforts,” Garant said.

During the ceremony, town officials and fire department leaders spoke on the sacrifices made by first responders on Sept. 11, 2001. A fire fighter’s prayer was read and the tradition of “Striking the Four Fives” — a custom that dates back to New York fire stations in 1865 — rang through the department parking lot.

The custom comes from a time when bells were used to communicate between fire stations and first responders. The striking of the “Four Fives” are the final honors given to firefighters who die in the line of duty, where five strikes of the bell are repeated four times.

“We must remember these extraordinary individuals for their sacrifice, living and deceased, both on this annual observance and also in our day-to-day lives,” said Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth at the ceremony.