Keith McAndrew was 11 when his firefighter father died and 22 when 343 firefighters perished in the September 11 Terrorist Attacks in Lower Manhattan, so the idea of missing a memorial honoring the fallen is utterly unthinkable. McAndrew and his mother, Jacky, arrived early Thursday morning to the community room of the Fire Training Academy and Fire Station 14 where they were warmly greeted by some of the men Ron McAndrew trained as rookies.

This dual-purpose gathering marking the anniversary of the attacks and saluting local firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty usually takes place at Heroes Park but was pushed inside due to early morning rain. It didn't dampen the spirit.

"Rain or shine, we come out to honor my father and all the 9/11 fallen heroes who tragically lost their lives on that day," said Keith McAndrew, whose father served 20 years and had achieved the rank of Captain at the time of his death in November of 1990. The street on which the fire academy sits is Ron McAndrew Drive. "We kind of carry a double-edged sword when it comes to memorials like this."

Brief, poignant and solemn, the ceremony paused for a moment of silence shortly after the toll of three bells. Players of Arlington Fire Pipes and Drums paid tribute with a rendition of Amazing Grace to a still, silent room.

In all during the attacks, 23 police officers were killed along with 37 Port Authority Police Officers and 15 emergency medical technicians.

Angela Shoemaker, whose husband has been an Arlington firefighter for 32 years, said the dangers of her husband's work "doesn't faze me because it's his job and I understand the calling," she said.

Yet the event made her feel "sorrow. We should never have to put up with this terrorism. My son is a Marine, so that makes it even worse. But I love what they do for a living."

Dwayne Cox attended the ceremony with his 3-year-old granddaughter propped on his shoulders most of the time. Her dad is Chris Ivie, who plays with the Arlington Fire Pipes and Drums.

"I thought this would be a good opportunity to see her dad play while participating in a great ceremony," Cox said. "Given what is happening right now overseas, this is as poignant as ever."

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, who read off a proclamation from President Barack Obama, called the event "heartbreaking. . . all that loss of life. The life-changing injuries for those who survived.

"But it also shows the good side of America," he added. "How we responded. We never want that to happen again and hopefully it will never happen again."

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