The “Spirit of Louisiana” fire truck will be in Lafayette on September 11, 2021 for the Lafayette Fire Department's 20th Anniversary Commemoration of 9/11.
Louisiana State Fire Marshal Chief Butch Browning arranged with Lafayette Fire Chief Benoit to have ”The Spirit of Louisiana” pumper brought to Lafayette the community gathers Saturday to pay honor and respect to the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attack killing almost 400 first responders including 343 firefighters.
The Lafayette Fire Department says the "Spirit of Louisiana” , built by Ferrara Fire Apparatus, was delivered to New York Fire Department on December 20, 2001 after over a million dollars was raised from the generosity of Louisiana citizens.
New York Fire Department lost 5 to 6 dozen apparatus during the attack. The pumper returned to Louisiana in 2019.
"We are very grateful to have the 'Spirit of Louisiana' in Lafayette," they say.
At Parc Sans Souci in Downtown Lafayette, memorial wreaths will be laid at the 9/11 monument in honor of the lives lost. A moment of silence will be observed. Words of reflection and encouragement will be delivered.
The general public is invited to attend. The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m.
"Come out, social distance with us," said Benoit. "But come out, look at the memorial, realize that freedom isn't free. Come out and be able to express to us what you feel, how you feel. You're going to hear us talk about how we feel, especially how we felt 20 years ago."
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