Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel unfurl a large American flag to be hung from a boom outside the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company honored the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a heartfelt ceremony at the station in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Sept. 11.

Volunteer firefighters and other law enforcement personnel began the day by raising a large American flag from a ladder truck before lowering the flag at sunset.

John Pristas, assistant fire chief, followed that up by playing taps at six specific times throughout the morning to mark the significant loss of life during one of the country’s darkest days.

The annual ceremony helps honor those who lost their lives and provides staff and local residents an opportunity to pay their respects.

“It stays true to what everybody has said about that day and the importance of making sure we never forget,” said Cranberry Township Fire and Emergency Services Chief Scott Garing. “We just always want to make sure that those individuals live on forever through our department’s actions and in our community.”

The department was given an 836-pound steel beam that was recovered from the twin towers’ wreckage in 2011. That donation helped pave the way for the Sept. 11 memorial that now sits in front of the station on Route 19.

Groundbreaking for that memorial began on Sept. 11, 2011 and exactly one year later it was dedicated with a candlelight ceremony.

“It’s pretty powerful to have that memorial and be able to connect to so many lives,” Garing said. “It’s incredible how much of an effect that day had on changing public safety, public travel and our military as well. I would say this was one of our better years as far as people attending, so it’s just good to know that this ceremony is really impactful.”

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel unfurl a large American Flag to be hung from a boom outside the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel unfurl a large American Flag to be hung from a boom outside the firestation in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel unfurl a large American Flag to be hung from a boom outside the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel watch a large American Flag being hoisted above the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company honor the American flag that was hung from a boom outside the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, with the playing of the national anthem on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Members of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company and other law enforcement personnel honor the American flag that was hung from a boom outside the fire station in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, with the playing of the national anthem on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle