Oceanside CA— A small group of Oceanside firefighters, police officers including several police officers and firefighters visiting Oceanside from Poland, along with local residents honored the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 with a memorial walk and brief ceremony, Friday morning.
A contingent of Oceanside Motor-officers escorted the group, led by the Oceanside Fire Departments Honor Guard, from the pier to the Civic Center-East. Upon arriving at the Civic Center, Oceanside Fire Chief Darryl Hebert explained the tradition of the fire bell.
“Many years ago, a ringing fire bell indicated a fire. Firefighters donned their bunker gear, headed out to fight the fire. After the fire was out, the station bell was rung three times indicating the task was done. When a firefighter falls in the line of duty, he or she is given honors including the solemn Last Alarm. continued the Chief, “Today, the bell rings three times for those who lost their lives including 343 firefighters, 23 police officers, 37 Port Authority Police Officers, 15 EMT’s and many others who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.”
“We will never forget.” said Oceanside Fire Department Chaplain Brad Lambert “That picture of those jets going into the World Trade Center is etched in our minds for all of eternity. Seeing the firefighters who went in and gave their lives and became heroes because they were willing to give their lives for this cause. Today we are here to celebrate that.”

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