Prince William County held its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at Freedom Park near the McCoart Government Center, where community members gathered to honor those lost in the 2001 attacks and reflect on their impact.
Detective Darien Cupka of Prince William Police, who was an Arlington County Police officer on September 11, 2001, spoke about his experiences responding to the Pentagon attack. He described leaving for the Pentagon after hearing news of the crash and recalled vivid memories from that day.
“I will never forget the chaos, the fear, the anger,” Cupka said. “The smells, the cries, trying to shepherd victims from the Pentagon to a triage point on Washington Boulevard.”
He continued by describing efforts inside the Pentagon: “I will never forget standing in water and jet fuel inside the Pentagon, shining a light and calling down dark corridors searching for survivors, hoping that no one was left behind.”
Cupka also recounted seeing an American flag draped over the damaged building. “I will never forget the moment our flag was draped over the side of the Pentagon,” he said. “A renewed sense of spirit and pride rushed through me and the crowd of first responders and military personnel still working. I have recited our pledge thousands of times, but never had I felt such a sense of allegiance and quest for justice for all.”
He referenced Flight 93’s passengers who fought back against hijackers before their plane crashed in Pennsylvania: “If I haven’t overstated it, I’ll never forget,” Cupka concluded. “I ask that each of you never forget, as well.”
Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson addressed attendees about local losses: “For two dozen years now, we have missed our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers and our family members whose lives were cut short on 9/11. Even though we have moved on as best we can, the pain is still there and always will be,” Jefferson said. “But, while the pain and sadness never truly go away, we do what we can to remember them. To tell their stories… We also honor and remember the first responders who went above and beyond, sacrificing their health – and even their lives – to help out that day and in the days, weeks, and months that followed. They’re all heroes, and we owe them our thanks.”
Jefferson explained a tradition observed during this ceremony: ”This became known as the Tolling of the Bell and was broadcast over all telegraph fire alarm circuits,” Jefferson said. “This signal was a sign of honor and respect for all firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and it has become a time-honored tradition.”
Retired Lt. Jeff Howdyshell rang a bell honoring Prince William County’s 22 residents killed in New York City or at The Pentagon on September 11; their names are inscribed at Liberty Memorial Fountain.
County Executive Chris Shorter reflected on his own memories from September 11: “I also remember what came after – the extraordinary bravery, the unity, the choice of service over self. It [was] in those moments that our nation revealed its true strength that told the world we would not be broken,” Shorter said.
Shorter urged attendees not only to remember but also act with compassion: “The question we face is ‘What do we do with that memory today?’” Shorter said. “September 11 calls us to be people of compassion and integrity, to show up for one another and to lift each other up in times of hardship and in times of peace,” Shorter said.
The event included presentations by Prince William County Joint Honor Guard; musical performances by Officer Celine Wykowski; bagpipes played by Prince William County Pipes & Drums; Donna Flory performed “Taps” at its conclusion.
