The DeKalb Fire Department Station 1 held a brief memorial event at 8 a.m. Tuesday for the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The event was held in front of the fire department, their half-staffed American flag nearby. It lasted 15 minutes and about 30 people attended.

“We hold this event every year and hold larger events that are 10 year markers, otherwise we keep it smaller scaled,” said interim fire chief Eric Hicks.

The turnout did not necessarily reflect the importance of the event.

“This memorial is smaller then normal, but it is not short enough that it takes away from the significance of the day,” said Greg Hoyle, interim assistant fire chief.

Hicks and Hoyle coordinated the memorial for the first time this year, but said they had attended previous memorials in honor of the terrorist attacks.

The event began with welcoming remarks from Hicks, who thanked everyone for attending. Afterward, Fire Department Chaplain Dean Pierce spent a few moments reflecting on the powerful events which occurred that day years before.

“We always will remember Sept. 11, 2001,” Pierce said. “As responders, the numbers ‘911’ is known as a plea for help. The responders from that day find a new significance from it.”

Pierce said people demonstrated a great amount of strength that day.

“We saw people that day willing to fight terror head-on, run into the buildings into the darkness, help others who were hurting,” Pierce said. “We saw people who were courageous.”

After Pierce spoke, Hoyle presented the presidential proclamation. This was followed by a moment of silence and a closing prayer from Fire Department Chaplain Ray Krueger.

Glenna Johnson, a 911 coordinator at the fire department, has been working there for around five years. She said she has attended the memorial every year.

“The ceremony today was very good and respectful,” Johnson said. “This day should never be forgotten.”

Former Fire Chief Lanny Russell attended the event to give his support.

“I’d never miss this event,” Russell said. “I have a son and a son-in-law that are firefighters, so this means a lot to me.”

The memorial reflected on the bravery demonstrated by the people of all ages in New York.

“It’s a tragedy how thousands lost their lives,” Russell said. “I will never forget the young firefighter in his early twenties who I saw run into the building when everyone else was running out. Those firefighters saved thousands of lives that day and that should never be forgotten.”