Fire district unveils 9/11 memorial for anniversary

SONOMA VALLEY

Station 1 installation built around World Trade Center steel beam

SIT-L-SVFDmemorial-090426-01-rotated-e1788298598676_1110372006.jpe

A Sonoma Valley Fire District memorial to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks is now open, officials announced Tuesday. Located outside Sonoma Valley Fire Station 1, it will be the focal point of a 25th anniversary ceremony the district will hold Friday. Sonoma Valley Fire District

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By Ruchi Shahagadkar

rshahagadkar@sonomanews.com

The Sonoma Valley Fire District announced Tuesday that the installation of its 9/11 Memorial is complete and open for public viewing.

The district plans to hold a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday at Station 1, 630 Second St. W. where the memorial is located, to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people in New York City, Arlington, Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The memorial is built around a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, obtained Sims Metal of Richmond, California as part of a donation to the fire district. This was made possible by Thibaut Ducy and Jill Rodby of Sims.

The installation also includes a commemorative brass bell and symbolic LED lighting, designed to evoke the “Tribute in Light” display in New York City, as well as a plaque with interpretive text.

The memorial sits in a landscaped area in front of the station, creating a reflective space near the station’s existing memorial wall.

“This memorial gives our community a permanent place to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, and to honor the sacrifice of the first responders who answered the call that day, as well as all of those who lost their lives” SVFD Chief Steve Akre said. “We are grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life, and we look forward to gathering with the community this September to formally dedicate it.”

The project was approved unanimously by the Sonoma City Council on July 16, 2025, and was fully funded by the Sonoma Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

SVFD is responsible for permitting and ongoing maintenance under the terms of the council’s approval.

Neil Colwell of Well Design Signage designed the memorial and the structure was welded together by Ryan Wellander.

The memorial is located on the grounds of Station 1 and is accessible to the public.

Authorities will release additional details about the Sept. 11 dedication ceremony, including the scheduled time and program, as they are finalized.

Information can be found at www.sonomavalleyfire.org.