Fairfax County marks 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with remembrance and calls to support first responders

Fairfax County officials and members of its public‑safety community gathered at the county Public Safety Headquarters on Sept. 11 for a 25th‑anniversary commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Speakers included Lieutenant Governor Ghazalah Hashmi, Board Chair Jeffrey McKay, Fire Chief John Butler, Police Chief Kevin Davis and Sheriff Stacy Kinkade; the program opened with a presentation of colors and the national anthem performed by firefighter Huey.

Speakers framed the morning as both remembrance and a call to service. A presenter recited national casualty figures — saying "2 977 lives were lost" across New York City, the Pentagon and near Shanksville — and officials called attention to first responders who died that day and those who later died from service‑related illnesses. Chair McKay underscored county programs for responder wellness and invited the public to view a 9/11 artifact collection at the Public Safety museum following the ceremony.