Southport Fire Department honors 343 firefighters killed on 9/11

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The Southport Fire Department honored the firefighters and other first responders who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a memorial display Friday morning.

The display outside the fire station on Main Street honored the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11.

Each fire helmet shield featured the name, photograph and rank of one of the fallen firefighters.

The department also unfurled four flags throughout the morning to mark the times of the four attacks.

The first was unfurled at 8:46 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Additional flags were unfurled at 9:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower; at 9:37 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon; and at 10:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew said that on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, the department hopes people also remember the unity seen across the country on Sept. 12, 2001.

The department said the display was intended to honor the courage and sacrifice of the first responders who died that day.