Farmington Honors Emergency Workers on Patriot Day

While no one will ever forget the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, those who marked the event Sunday in Farmington were also urged to look to the future.

More than a hundred local residents and emergency workers observed the community's annual Patriot Day ceremony at the Sunday afternoon. Each year, the event honors outstanding and officers, and . This year, were also recognized.

Firefighter Jim Etzin, who spoke on behalf of the walkers, said once in New York, they visited a station where 12 firefighters were lost.

Having been "on the job" for 17 years, Etzin said he believes "those 12 men enjoyed life to the fullest and would want their lives celebrated, not mourned," he said. "More than anything else, that is why I am here today, to commemorate their lives, honor their families and do everything I can to ensure all the survivors of Sept. 11 and its aftermath are never forgotten."

Commander Ralph Philip, a Viet Nam veteran and firefighter for 32 years, said "good and decent people died and new American heroes died trying to save them" on 9/11. While honoring the memory of those people, he said, it is also important to think about the next generation.

"As we remember September 11, 2001, let us also teach our children the lessons learned and recalled because of the tragic events," he said. "Tell them they must guard freedom carefully, and tell them that, by working together as free people, we will win the wars against terrorism."

Correction: In the original version of this story, Miss Farmington Elise Newcomer was incorrectly identified in a photo caption.