Savannah first responders honor 9/11 legacy 25 years later

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah police officers and firefighters gathered Friday to honor the lives lost and sacrifices made by emergency personnel 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

For many younger adults and newer first responders, the attacks are either a distant childhood memory or a lesson learned in history books. Yet the impact continues to shape the firefighters serving the community today.

Advanced Firefighter Ryan Unkert was only 4 or 5 years old and living in New Jersey when the towers fell.

“I remember the day distinctively at a babysitter’s house,” Unkert said. “I remember she was hysterical, and at 4 or 5 you can’t really comprehend, but I remember watching on the television the happenings and witnessing it come down.”

For other personnel, tangible reminders paved the path toward public service. Advanced Firefighter Kaiwan Purveyor recalled a piece of glass displayed at his former volunteer department taken from one of the World Trade Center towers.

“I walked by it and I’ll always remember to read it,” Purveyor said. “As I spent time there and learned what happened, it became more than just a little piece of glass. There was something to hold onto to inspire me to keep moving forward.”

The badge and uniform connect today’s crews directly to the 343 New York City firefighters who died running into the burning towers.

“You have to carry that same level of dedication,” Unkert said. “We’re here for the people, and we can’t pick and choose which people we’re going to go save. We are obligated, and if people are in danger, it’s without hesitation.”

Purveyor added that keeping those stories alive ensures that the sacrifice of those fallen heroes will never fade for future generations.