GAINESVILLE, Texas — Gainesville Fire-Rescue will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks with a remembrance ceremony and a community blood drive on Friday, Sept. 11.
The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at Gainesville Fire Station #3, 308 N. Culberson St. It will honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, including the 343 New York City firefighters who died responding to the World Trade Center.
The remembrance will include a tribute at the department's 9/11 memorial, which contains a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center, and will recognize the first responders who answered the call that day, along with those who continue to suffer from illnesses related to their service at Ground Zero, the department said.
"Twenty-five years later, Gainesville Fire-Rescue remains committed to the promise made in the aftermath of the attacks: We will never forget," the department said in a news release.
Following the ceremony, Gainesville Fire-Rescue and Carter BloodCare will host the 9/11 Patriot Day Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Valley Creek Church parking lot at 201 N. Culberson St.
"In the days following September 11, Americans across the country came together to help one another, including here in Gainesville, where we held our largest blood drive to date," said Tamara Sieger, GFR public information officer. "Donating blood gives us an opportunity to continue that spirit of service while helping ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients when it is needed most."
The department thanked Valley Creek Church for providing the location and parking for the drive. Community members who are eligible to donate are encouraged to participate.