Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center salute community members who died in public service during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Hundreds of people gathered in East Hempfield Township early Friday for a solemn occasion – a ceremony to remember the victims from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, 25 years ago.
The hour-long remembrance service at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center also honored the 52 Lancaster County first responders who have died in the line of duty.
“We’d rather not be here today and we’d rather not have to remember, but it’s important that we do,” said Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D’Agostino.
He recalled the “raw, visceral, shocking and mournful feelings” from the attacks in 2001 and spoke of those who rushed toward the danger and destruction.
The Lancaster City Police and Fire Departments Honor Guard presents the colors during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Todd Kirkpatrick, director of the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center listen to speakers during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Darrell Fisher, of New Holland EMS and president of the EMS Council, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Mason Brandt, with Fire Department Mount Joy and president of the Lancaster County Fire Chiefs Association, speaks about being a seventh grader in the Elizabethtown Area School District when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Chris McKim, Ephrata police chief and president of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
A solemn crowd listens to remarks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
From left, Lancaster County Commissioners Alice Yoder, Ray D'Agostino and Josh Parsons pay their respects after placing a wreath during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
From left, a cadet with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center lays a carnation in honor of a community member who died in public service as Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons reads the person's name during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center salute community members who died in public service during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center pose for a photo with Lancaster County Commissioners Ray D'Agostino, Alice Yoder and Josh Parsons during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
The Lancaster City Police and Fire Departments Honor Guard presents the colors during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Todd Kirkpatrick, director of the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Lancaster County Commissioner Alice Yoder speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center listen to speakers during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Darrell Fisher, of New Holland EMS and president of the EMS Council, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Mason Brandt, with Fire Department Mount Joy and president of the Lancaster County Fire Chiefs Association, speaks about being a seventh grader in the Elizabethtown Area School District when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Chris McKim, Ephrata police chief and president of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association, speaks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
A solemn crowd listens to remarks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
From left, Lancaster County Commissioners Alice Yoder, Ray D'Agostino and Josh Parsons pay their respects after placing a wreath during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
From left, a cadet with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center lays a carnation in honor of a community member who died in public service as Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons reads the person's name during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at the training center in Manheim on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Cadets with the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center salute community members who died in public service during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a