Firefighters saluted in silence and Skokie residents and officials alike observed from the sidelines as the Skokie Fire Department’s Color Guard adjusted the U.S. flag and Skokie flag to half mast to honor the events of 9/11 on the 24th anniversary.

Thursday morning’s ceremony at Skokie Fire Station 16 was just one of three ceremonies hosted by the village of Skokie, with Fire Station 17 and 18 also having remembrance ceremonies to honor the 2,977 lives lost as a result of the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001.

The ceremony was simple, with about 20 firefighters standing and saluting and four members of the color guard raising the flag. About 20 residents attended.

Skokie began hosting its annual ceremony every year since 9/11, according to Fire Chief Nick Eschner. Following the attack, he said the fire department assisted New York City by sending rotating groups of firefighters to Ground Zero. The fire department took it upon themselves to offer the assistance, and helped do some funeral planning, he said.

Eschner said 9/11 was a very defining day for the country, and impressed it upon many people to serve their country.

“It’s hard to believe it was 24 years ago,” Eschner said to attendees after the ceremony, “but we continue to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Skokie Fire Chief Nick Eschner signs his name in a copy of Life’s “One Nation: America Remembers Sept. 11, 2001” after a ceremony at Skokie Fire Station 16 honoring those who died on 9/11 . (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

After the ceremony, Skokie resident Milica Dalipović followed a tradition of her own in asking firefighters and the Fire Chief to sign her copy of “One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001” by Life magazine’s editors.

Milica Dalipović holds her copy of Life’s “One Nation: America Remembers Sept. 11, 2001,” filled with the signatures of Skokie firefighters and fire chiefs. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

It’s a tradition she has carried on since 2012, Dalipović said. Originally from Yugoslavia, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1977 and said she has always had a deep appreciation for law enforcement and safety officials.

“My heart is always with them,” she said. “I like them so much,” she said, adding that her grandfather was a police officer.

Dalipović began the tradition at Fire Station 18, and has regularly cooked and baked for the department when she has the time for it, she said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/skokie-remembers-9-11/