Just four minutes after American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, a ladder truck from Fire Station 5 in Arlington, Virginia, became the first unit to respond to the scene.
Now, twenty-five years later, hundreds of individuals convened at the same firehouse to commemorate the anniversary and honor the 184 victims who lost their lives both at the Pentagon and onboard the flight.
The ceremony also emphasized the bravery of the first responders.
Rev. Ashley Goff, the Chaplain for the Arlington County Fire Department, reflected on the efforts of those who rushed to the disaster with “ax, hose line, and timber, every tool our hands could carry.”
“The memories we have endure, some heavy while others we hold dear,” Goff remarked. “We remember, to ensure that we do not forget.”
Arlington County Fire Chief David Povlitz pointed out that the effects of that tragic day still resonate, especially for many responders.
“The physical and emotional aftermath is ongoing. Some have succumbed to illnesses related to 9/11, while others live with enduring health issues and injuries,” Povlitz noted.
Congressman Don Beyer, who represents Arlington, referred to September 11 as “the saddest day in American history.”
“Sadder than our nation’s assassinations, even more tragic than D-Day and Pearl Harbor,” Beyer stated. “These were the deaths of 3,000 innocent individuals, men and women simply starting their workday, not heading into battle.”
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger termed the day a “national tragedy and a time of unimaginable horror,” but also noted that it inspired millions across America and around the globe to unite in service and aid.
“I am thankful for the heroism shown by Station Five and all the first responders who answered the call,” Spanberger added.
‘They came to run into the fires’
Meanwhile, in Bowie, Maryland, community leaders and residents assembled to pay tribute to the lives lost during the tragic events of 9/11, honoring those who responded on that fateful day.
A large U.S. flag was suspended between two towering ladder trucks as County Council member Jolene Ivey recited the names of the 24 residents from the county who perished in the terrorist attacks.
Local officials in Bowie reflected on the courage displayed by first responders that day.
“They ran towards the flames,” said Mayor Michael Esteban.
“We often think of our military as the frontline of defense, but here in our own country, our first responders bore the brunt. And we have a robust group among us even today, ready to take that challenge,” added Bowie Mayor Pro Tem and Council member Dufour Woolfley.
Among those in attendance was Lisa Rivera, who was on the 73rd floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center when she received evacuation orders.
“Immediately, it felt like the building lifted and dropped,” Rivera recounted to WTOP.
As she descended the stairwell, she sensed the building’s structural integrity faltering.
“It was terrifying, as we could feel the building sway, and it raised the question of whether it would collapse. How much time do we have to escape?” she shared.
Upon emerging outdoors, Rivera found herself frozen in disbelief. It was a first responder who guided her to safety.
Years later, she still recalls that moment and wonders about the fate of the individual who helped her.
Honoring the D.C. educators and students who perished
Twenty-five years ago, three teachers and three students from D.C. Public Schools boarded American Airlines Flight 77, on their way to a National Geographic conference in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, they never reached their destination.
During the Arlington County ceremony, retired Fire Chief James Schwartz, who held the role of incident commander at the Pentagon on 9/11, honored the students Asia Cottom, Rodney Dickens, and Bernard Brown.
“They lost their lives that day, far from their parents,” Schwartz stated.
However, they were not alone; they were accompanied by three of their teachers.
In Northeast D.C., both Cottom and her teacher, Sara Clark of Bertie Backus Middle School, were remembered at a separate ceremony.
The University of the District of Columbia recently unveiled a memorial plaque near the main entrance of the UDC Community College Lamond-Riggs Campus, formerly the location of the Bertie Backus campus.
“This memorial represents a project born from love,” remarked Juanita Gray, the director of community engagement at UDC, during the dedication ceremony.
This new bronze plaque replaces an older, deteriorating memorial dedicated to Clark and Cottom, with school officials noting the need for a new tribute to appropriately honor their memory.
Keith Sellars, an advisory neighborhood commissioner with nearly two decades in the area, admitted he was unaware that two individuals from Bertie Backus had lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks until he saw the old plaque last year.
After discussions with UDC officials and community leaders, a committee was formed to create a new, lasting memorial.
“Through my experiences, I’ve found that when people are passionately invested in a cause, they tend to rally together,” Sellars told WTOP.
The financial responsibility for the new plaque is undertaken by UDC, while the old memorial has been transferred to D.C. Public Schools to be showcased in the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. Currently, only a small placard acknowledging Clark and Cottom remains at the site of the original memorial.
At Friday’s event, local leaders emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of Clark and Cottom. D.C. Council member Zachary Parker stated that the new memorial would serve as “an enduring tribute” for future generations to visit and “honor the lives lost.”
Before the events of 9/11, Clark, 65, served as a sixth-grade teacher at Bertie Backus and had dedicated nearly four decades to the school system since 1965. Cottom, 11, was a newcomer to the school but was well-known in the community due to her father’s role as an aide.
For Cathie Reid, Clark was far more than just her sixth-grade teacher. Although she described Clark as strict and no-nonsense, she also regarded her as her favorite teacher, one who practiced fairness and genuinely cared for her students.
“She was like a mother to us,” Reid reminisced to WTOP. “Even with her own children, she created a nurturing presence for us.”
Reid expressed her admiration for the new plaque and considered it a fitting tribute to the two lives lost.
“I want her memory to be more than just associated with the flight number,” Reid expressed during the ceremony. “I wish to remember the woman and the teacher who made a child feel valued and understood. That is the significance of this plaque to me.”
Martina Williams, a local resident, observed that the previous memorial had become faded over time. Clark was also her sixth-grade teacher at Keene Elementary School.
Williams hopes the new memorial paves the way for further initiatives to honor her beloved teacher, such as scholarships and programs similar to those Clark assisted her students in applying for.
“There’s no reason the experiences she created for us can’t be replicated,” Williams affirmed.
Related stories
A piece of the World Trade Center will live at DC’s Fire and EMS training academy
Artifact from Ground Zero dedicated at DC’s firefighter training facility
A piece of steel from the World Trade Center site in New York will now serve as a teaching tool for new firefighters in D.C., helping them understand the significance of their role.
“This steel survived one of the darkest days in American history,” D.C. Assistant Fire Chief Tony Kelleher remarked during a dedication ceremony at the D.C. Fire and EMS training academy located in Southwest. “It stands as a point of inspiration for generations of D.C. Fire and EMS personnel to start and continue their training.”
Kelleher also highlighted that the training academy is an apt location for this poignant artifact.
“In times of unimaginable events, someone must respond. I hope this steel imparts that lesson to every recruit and cadet who passes by it,” he expressed.
This steel, now permanently displayed, was donated to the training academy by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Measuring approximately 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide, it is mounted on a base that symbolizes the Twin Towers. The inscription “WTC 9/11, Never Forget” adorns the steel.
Vito Maggiolo, a former public information officer for D.C. Fire, was instrumental in acquiring this significant piece.
“It will forever remind future firefighters of the bravery and sacrifice demonstrated on 9/11,” he stated.
WTOP’s Jimmy Alexander, John Domen, Kyle Cooper, and José Umaña contributed to this report.
Receive breaking news and daily updates directly to your email by signing up here.
© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
