The article commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, highlighting the experiences of Jeff Gillies, a battalion chief with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. As a firefighter’s son, Gillies had always planned to follow in his father’s footsteps. He began his training just two weeks before the attacks and recalls the emotional impact it had on him.
On that fateful day in 2001, Gillies watched as the Twin Towers fell, realizing the gravity of the loss: nearly 3,000 lives, including 343 firefighters from New York City. This defining moment cemented his commitment to firefighting.
Now, alongside 40 fellow firefighters, Gillies is traveling to New York to participate in memorial ceremonies and connect with firefighters nationwide. He emphasizes the duty to remember those who perished and to foster unity within the fire service and the broader community.
Gillies speaks to the importance of honoring the legacy of fallen firefighters and ensuring the values of camaraderie and support persist, especially as new generations of firefighters join the ranks. He advocates for using this anniversary as an opportunity for social unity and reflection amid a divided nation.
