Commentary: The Charleston 9/11 Remembrance Bridge Walk – Reflecting on the event and what it means to all of us

By Johanna Fritz

Undeterred by the excessive heat or the passage of time, a group of first responders, active-duty military, and community supporters made the trek across the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge on Sunday morning to mark the twenty-first anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

I joined the group at the base of the bridge after seeing a Facebook post promoting the walk just a few days earlier. I spoke with a man, retired NYFD who had participated in the event in previous years up until COVID.  As he walked in full turnout gear, the sweat dripping off his face and forehead, he shared some of his personal commentary expressing that as the event had grown so big, including local politicians, the meaning of this day of remembrance has been lost in much of the fanfare. 

“We had a hurricane and COVID after that. I just need to do something on this day…to remember. When we woke up in North Charleston this morning it was raining. On the way downtown, the heavens opened up and we saw it would be a great morning to walk.” 

An Army-trained nurse spoke to me about the disappointment she felt seeing so few turnouts for the Remembrance Bridge Walk.

“I am a teacher and was excited that 9/11 was on the weekend this year. I asked my co-workers to join me. They told me they would be with me ‘in spirit’.” 

At the top of the Ravenel, we stopped for a moment of silence at 10:28 am, to mark the time that the North Tower collapsed, 102 minutes after being struck by Fight 11.  One of the firemen activated his PASS (personal alerting safety system). This device is attached to firefighters and sounds if they stop moving for more than 30 seconds. Today, this distress signal served as a memorial to the first responder personnel who lost their lives while working to free those trapped in and around the towers, and a reminder of those troops, soon to be called up, who were killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. 

“Next year, I would really like to see more people join us,” a woman commented to me as we ascended the bridge. She nodded in the direction of some of the children walking ahead of us. “It is not just important to talk about the sacrifices first responders made on 9/11… and by our military. We need to live and demonstrate that they are more than words. It’s not just a one-day thing. That is the challenge. “

As a former first responder, I challenge all of us in Charleston to “live and demonstrate” that locally. 

When you are planning time with family and friends this Fall and Winter, contact your local fire or police and ask them when is a  good time to send pizza.  Help your kids write a thank you letter or draw a card. In an age where we are burying our heads in our phones, I challenge you to take a moment and find a way to say “Thank You” to those who protect and serve us, always.

Photo Credit:  Johanna Fritz