Fire Department Honors Fallen

Lt. Col. Gregory Mayer, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Anthony Rabonza, 56th CES deputy fire chief, stand by Sept. 11, 2015, while the intercom informs the station of the roll call. This honorary roll call has been done for the past 14 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

Fire Department Honors Fallen

The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department held its annual, honorable role call Sept. 11, 2015, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The 56 CES commander, base fire marshal, chief enlisted manager, first sergeant, and the entire Fire Emergency Services flight attended this memorial event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

Fire Department Honors Fallen

Senior Airman Oscar Adame, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron fire fighter, rings the last call bell Sept. 11, 2015 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The last call bell ringing ceremony is dedicated to those firefighters that were killed in action attempting to rescuing people from the Twin Towers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

Fire Department Honors Fallen

The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron leaders and firefighters conduct a final roll call Sept. 11, 2015 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This heartfelt ceremony has been performed annually for the past 14 years to remember those that fell and risked their lives at ground zero. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

Fire Department Honors Fallen

Published Sept. 17, 2015
By Airmen Pedro Mota
56th Fighter Wing Public Affiars

Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. -- Fire Department Honors Fallen
by Airman Pedro Mota
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Leadership from the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire department implemented a role call Sept. 11, 2015 in honor and remembrance of the 9/11 catastrophe.

In the middle of the 56th CES fire department's vehicle bay, a final call bell commemoration shrine was placed as the center piece.

At the beginning of the ceremony, fire department personnel and the 56th CES commander's staff quietly lined up in two formations that mirrored each other and faced the bell, while Lt. Col. Gregory Mayer, 56th CES commander, and Anthony Rabonza, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief, stood next to the 'final call bell.'

"We will now honor the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11," Rabonza said. "Station, Attention!"

At this time, Steven Kinkade, 56th CES assistant chief for training, read the 9/11 prayer 'Ground Zero' by Rosalie Gattuso.

"The poem felt appropriate because it talked about everyone who died in the World Trade Center and not just firefighters, police and other emergency workers," Rabonza said. "This significant event in our nation's history is a painful reminder of how precious life in the United States is."

Once the prayer concluded, Senior Airman Oscar Adame, 56th CES fire fighter, silently walked over to the final call and grasped the bell rope.

"This 'Last Alarm or Last Call' consists of ringing a portable fire department bell for three sets of three," Kinkade said. "The bell ringing recalls a time when the fire bell rang to call firefighters to an alarm and then, again, to signal that the alarm had ended."

After the final bell, Rabonza ordered the formations to present arms. Then Airman 1st Class Owen Ricker, 56th CES firefighter, wearing traditional bagpiper garments, approached the flag from the side and began to play Amazing Grace.

"Every person in the U.S. and around the world who was old enough to remember the event, can recall the exact place and time when this dastardly act of terrorism unfolded," Rabonza said. "We must never forget those who gave their lives in service of others. As well as the families who were devastated by the loss of a loved one, friend, family member and coworker.