The whole nation took a long and drawn out moment of silence as people from New York to California remembered the fatal events of September 11, 2001. Memorial services were held all around to remember the fallen first responders who rushed into the falling towers with courage and bravery to save those they did not even know.

Here in Madison, Fire Station Two held its own memorial service Friday morning. All three of the stations came together, along with the Madison City Police and Fire Department color guard and HEMSI, dressed in their Class A’s to remember their fallen brothers.

“I think we’ve been doing this service for two years now. Chief Cobb is the chief but a lot of the leg work was done by Brandy Williams. It took about two weeks, off and on.” Steve Perry, C Shift Battalion Chief for Madison Fire Department said.

During the service, two poems were read — A Firefighter’s Prayer and A Policeman’s Prayer— followed by the ringing of the bell.

“Way back before technology, when a fire alarm came out, they would ring a bell— three or five bells. And to let everybody know that the alarm was over, they would ring either three or five. But whichever one they did to let everybody know it was done.  They ring it three or five times to let everybody know that that person or persons had responded to their last alarm and the alarm is over for them.” Perry said.

The day after the service, locals from all walks of life walked their way through a maze representing the journey of those who fought for them. They carried in their hands stones that stood for the weight that the soldiers took on for them, all taking part in a life-changing healing process.

“I didn’t know what a labyrinth was—the testimony they provided gave a clear process, it was obvious to see that it is a tool. That will help the people relieve themselves of something their carrying and walk away from it. Not necessarily forgetting it, but coming to peace with it.” Colonel Marks said.