On Saturday, our nation marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It is hard to imagine the sense of profound upheaval, devastation, and uncertainty that existed on that day in the moments after the attacks. No matter how much time has passed since the tragedy, we continue to fulfill our sacred obligation to remember all those who lost their lives.
We pause to remember the 2,977 souls we lost, including the 412 first responders who perished while striving to save others.
These brave heroes rescued people trapped in the massive amount of smoke, debris, and rubble from when the Twin Towers fell, and the west side of the Pentagon partially collapsed. Many died trying to climb flights of stairs to save people. Thousands of other victims suffered severe injuries and endured grueling long-term recoveries. And there are still victims that remain unidentified. They will never be forgotten.
9/11 Commemorative Badge
As a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, more than 765 Sheriff’s Office team members ordered commemorative badges, a strong show of support that underscores the phrase, “Never forget,” as a testament of who we are as people and as a country.
20 years later, our hearts remain with those who lost loved ones on 9/11. Our lives are forever changed.
A portion of the proceeds from these sales were donated to Tunnel to Towers, a nonprofit that offers the construction of mortgage-free smart homes for injured veterans and first responders.
At the Sheriff’s Office, we honor and support our team members who served selflessly in the U.S. Armed Forces and then answered the call to protect their local communities.
Today we unveiled a Military Service Wall to recognize the service members and veterans in our ranks who perform in various roles, sworn and civilian, and at all levels of the agency. We take great pride in our teammates who fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom and continue to give back to their communities as public servants.
“Seeing our military reservists and veterans work tirelessly every shift put living a life of service into perspective,” said Major Bosquez, the 701 Housing Bureau Commander. “It inspired us to create a living tribute for our heroes who walk these hallways daily to show our appreciation for their countless contributions and to bring a smile to their face.”
As team members saw the progress of the work, their pride as veterans was on full display. In passing, many jokingly made sure Deputy Leason and Detention Officer Villarreal, both veterans, got the military branch colors right and did not overlook any details.
Deputy Leason, U.S. Army Veteran
Major Bosquez says the most rewarding part of this project was bringing in veterans on our team to guide the vision and get involved in the process.
“Our very own military vets rolled up their sleeves and grabbed paintbrushes, beaming as we got closer to the big reveal.”
He added, “This was a true team effort from the start, from the planning meetings that set the foundation and the dedicated paint crew to today’s unveiling. It’s a real testament to our camaraderie and endless support for one another.”
Detention Officer Villarreal, U.S. Air Force Veteran