DC honors 9/11 victims and first responders

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Fire Chief John Donnelly, Sr. opened the doors of the Engine 16 station to welcome Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Councilmembers, and the Attorney General to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice exactly 23 years ago.

The ceremony also recognized D.C.’s first responders who work to keep the District safe every day. 

This year, the station had a new attendee: Avery Burkhardt, who was recently recruited to Engine 16.

“I love being around the guys, it’s great,” he said when asked about his time as a new firefighter. “I don’t even see it as a job, it’s like a hobby.”

Burkhardt watched on as Mayor Muriel Bowser presented his Chief with a resolution commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

She also appealed to the community and D.C. leadership to make sure first responders have what they need.

“It is our responsibility to support them in every way that we can, with fair policies and laws, equipment and training, and always, always, always living up to our promises,” she said.

Chief Donnelly says events like this are important because while they honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty, they also provide newcomers with an example to follow whenever they’re called.

“Those values carry over,” he said. “From 9/11 to responding to Jan. 6, to the house fire this morning, to the sick person call just outside, right before this started. All of those go together. They’re not special because we were attacked. This is just what we do.”

Now as Burkhardt prepares to serve the people of D.C., he heads out ready to honor the legacy of service left behind.

“Knowing people worked that day and knowing people who worked in the city that day…I can only pay my respects,” Burkhardt said. “I can only imagine what it’s like to be in their shoes. They don’t look for that recognition, but we give it to them, and it’s cool to know that I work alongside those people.”