On September 11, the Del Norte County Veterans of Foreign Wars held their second annual First Responders Appreciation Dinner, honoring the men and women who continue to serve our community with courage and commitment.
Nearly 60 first responders attended — firefighters, ambulance drivers, EMTs, paramedics, city police officers, and deputies from the Sheriff’s Office.
This year carries special weight, marking 25 years since the 2001 attacks, a moment that forever changed the nation and forged a bond among first responders that still resonates today, and will continue for decades to come.
Many reflected on where they were the morning of September 11, 2001, what they witnessed, and how the call to serve became even more profound.
The evening was warm, sincere, and filled with gratitude where a room full of people who show up for us on our hardest days, gathered to remember why they chose this path, and how deeply the community values them.
America has changed since 2001, but the dedication of our first responders has not.
Their service remains a steady reminder of resilience, unity, and the strength of Del Norte County, and proof once again that this Great Nation can and will come together in moments of crisis and tragedy.