Pueblo pays tribute to victims of 9/11

More than a decade after the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, the images of that day remained seared in the minds of many.

“Fire stations are never absolutely quiet,” said Capt. Bryce Boyer of the Pueblo Fire Department. “That kitchen was quiet that morning. Everybody was intently staring at the television.”

Police Chief Luis Velez recalls working in Colorado Springs at the time. “We ended up opening the operations center as a result of the attacks on New York City.”

Boyer and Velez were among the more than 100 people who gathered around the Pueblo Riverwalk Friday morning, reflecting on how much has changed since Sept. 11, 2001.

“It’s made us a lot more aware of what’s going on around us. Terrorism came home that day, struck us on our home soil,” Boyer said.

“Fourteen years ago I think everybody viewed not only the firefighters, but the police officers as heroes,” Velez said. “You look at what’s happening today and it’s a dramatic change from 14 years ago.”

Students at Pueblo Community College paid tribute in a different way, climbing the amphitheater steps while wearing 75-pound vests. It was meant to match the weight the firefighters carried while climbing the stairs of the World Trade Center.

“For me it’s pretty unimaginable because it’s more than half my body weight. It’s hot. It’s heavy. It’s a lot of work, and I really respect the people that were able to do it,” said Dixieanna Giadone.

Most students, including Ryan Hathaway, only have vague memories of the attack.

“I was in elementary [school] — I think second or third grade when it happened in the library and my dad just pulled me out of school,” Hathaway said.

Now — years later — so many are still remembering and promising never to forget.