First responders from both sides of the border are preparing to meet at the Peach Arch for the annual Sept. 11 memorial

SURREY(NEWS 1130) — Canadian and American first responders will be coming together Wednesday at the Peace Arch border crossing to honour their colleagues who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics, along with members of the public will gather for the 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Peace Arch Park to mark 18 years since a series of four coordinated attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000. More than 400 emergency workers died in the attacks, while many more suffered health issues in the years that followed.

“It’s a day where we will remember the service and the sacrifice of those men and women who went in and tried to help their community and do everything possible, not realizing what was about to happen,” said Acting Sgt. Jim Ingram with Delta Police. “For us it’s a day where we remember that that happens every day around North America and it’s a part of our job and the communities we protect and live in.”

The youngest members among those in the crowd may not even remember the attacks, which is why Ingram says the memorial is even more important today.

“It’s events like this memorial that we can explain what happened, the impact it had on all our services, the military and society as a whole,” he said. “These memorials are important to pass the message on and bring the younger generation into understanding what happened.”

The event begins with a police escorted memorial drive from Tsawwassen Mills, which will make its way down Highway 17 and Highway 99 towards the border. Sections of 52 and 56 streets will briefly be closed to allow the procession to make its way to the highway. Guests are encouraged to dress in formal attire.