Houston firefighters are remembering those who died in the attack. And as they pay tribute to the hundreds of firefighters killed that day, they are also remembering the death of four of their own, earlier this year.
September 11 is a somber day every year at firehouses around the country. Additionally this year, folks at HFD Fire Station 51 are pausing to remember two of their own who lost their lives in the line of duty just this year.
September 11th at Fire Station 51 started with a big breakfast, courtesy of H-E-B. P> "It's just a nice way of saying thank you to them, we thought," said H-E-B spokesperson Cyndy Garza.
The grocery chain has been doing it for the last nine years, as a way to show its appreciation to Texas' first responders. Firefighters here still remember that fateful day 12 years ago, when the world changed forever.
"I made it to my parents' house in Rosenberg and was able to see the second plane hit," remembered HFD Captain Chad Guest. "It hit home, real hard."
HPD Captain Simon Hernandez recalled, "Words escaped us. That was not something that was supposed to happen."
Hundreds of first responders lost their lives that day -- a loss that was hard to fully understand.
"You see it happening, but it's not computing," Captain Guest said. "You just cannot believe that actually happened," said
This year, Station 51 suffered another tragic loss -- two of the four firefighters who died fighting a massive motel fire in southwest Houston were from this station.
"It's devastating. I mean, it affected everybody on every shift," said Captain Guest. "It could have been any one of us, and that's why it hit home so hard. You just never know. You just thank God every day being able to wake up.
On 9/11, their hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones -- 12 years ago in New York, and just a couple months ago here in Houston.
"We love them dearly," Captain Hernandez said. "They're always in our minds. Always in our hearts."
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