CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Millions of Americans are honoring the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 today.

The Champaign Fire Department held their annual memorial ceremony this morning at West Side Park. The ceremony served as a way to hold a moment of silence and reflection in the community, to never forget the lives lost that day.

Champaign county fire department ring the bell to honor the lives lost on 9/11.

Both the police and fire department spoke to the crowd, explaining what first responders endured that day when they received that tragic call. 

Champaign Fire Captain Brian Ball shared how he, and his team, are committed to keeping the history alive in the next generation of firefighters. 

"We're starting to get a new generation of firefighters coming onto the fire department that weren't even born yet. It's our obligation that we make sure we instill that value of how this affected us, not only as citizens of a nation that came under attack, but, specifically us as firefighters."

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