SAVANNAH, Ga. () – The Savannah Fire Department (SFD) honored the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, during a ceremony Thursday.

The service included the ringing of a bell and the presentation of a wreath with 343 ribbons, one for each firefighter who died that day. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attacks.

“We’re here today because as a community, as a nation, as a city, we vowed never to forget and to always remember what hate look like on that day,” said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

Savannah Fire Chief Elzie Kitchen said the department’s traditions make ceremonies like this meaningful.

“One thing that’s good about the fire department, we’re rich in tradition and we honor our fallen firefighters,” Kitchen said. “So, with that being the biggest lost a firefighter life in that one incident, we find a time to always to honor and remember those firefighters, as well as the almost 3,000 people that lost their lives.”

Kitchen added that the anniversary is a reminder for unity.

“It wasn’t just firefighters that lost their lives. It was Americans,” he said. “So, in this time and age, you know, even now, we knew humanity to come together like we did back then. So, if anything, that I want to say, it’s just that humanity has time for us to come together.”

Johnson said the city will continue to support the families of those lost and those still serving today.

“We vow that we continue to support them and their families and that we continue to support those on the ground, not only in the military, not only on our streets, but those of us in red fire apparatus around the nation thanking them for the service they give every day,” Johnson said.