Members of the Sparks Fire Department gathered early this morning at the Sparks Memorial Park in order to hold a ceremony in the memory of firefighters who died this day seven years ago in New York City.

Though the memory of the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 have somewhat waned from the American consciousness over the past seven years, but both fire department Chief Bill Finley and fire department Captain Joe Warner uphold the phrase used by President Bush, "Never forget." Finley and Warner were joined by operator Thom Kowatch and firefighter Denise Little, and the latter three were responsible for bringing the flags down to half mast out of respect for the New York firefighters.

Below the flags were two boards that had pictures of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives.

"Every year for the anniversary of Sept. 11, we bring out these picture boards. It's one way to honor these firefighters and their families," Finley said.

After witnessing the dangers of being a firefighter, the question "Why do they do it?" comes to mind. For Captain Joe Warner, who has been a firefighter for 12 years, firefighting runs in his family. His uncle, father and grandfather were all firefighters, but this was not the only factor that influenced him to join the profession.

"I was motivated by the thought of helping people and serving our country," Warner explained.

Bill Farr, who visited the park to pay his respects, was the fire chief of the Sparks Fire Deparment for 25 years. Similar to Warner, he did not need convincing to join the department.

"I had just gotten back from World War II and when my wife, my son, and I moved into an apartment, we were lying in bed and I heard sirens,” Farr explained. “There was a house on Glendale that had caught fire and I turned to my wife and said, 'They might need some help.' I started as a volunteer fireman after that day, eventually became chief, and I loved it until the day I retired in 1976."

Farr was joined by Georgine Lucchesi, the wife of a former Sparks Fire Department captain. Her husband served as captain of the department for 30 years and she attended Thursday’s memorial "to say a few prayers for these people."

The Sparks Fire department goes to measures that extend beyond the memorial service to ensure that these firefighters are not forgotten. The phrase "Keep back 343 feet," coupled with "Never forget," are emblazoned across the back of each fire truck.

"This was an event that changed America and we want to honor those who were lost," Finley said.

Even though the attacks took place more than 3,000 miles away, the response from Sparks locals made it seem as though they took place right here. When discussing the local response to the Sept. 11 attacks, Finley explained, "When it happened, people genuinely did not know what to do with themselves. People in the community wanted to show their support. Some called just to talk and some people even brought by cakes just to show that they cared."

This community is still affected by the attacks, which became clear when Finley explained that a woman called Wednesday night to express her feelings and let him know that she supports the sacrifices that have been made by firefighters in this community.

Warner said that the firefighters of Sparks are still affected by the event and have relied on each other to help along the healing process.

"We're a very tight knit group and we have worked through this together," Warner said.

Although it is important to continue moving forward from the Sept. 11 attacks, Warner emphasized the necessity of paying tribute to those lost. "The phrase 'time heals all wounds' comes to mind,” Warner said in closing. “With healing comes a certain amount of forgetfulness, but it is important to still remember the heroic actions of those firefighters. Every time a fire truck goes by, people should remember those lost."