"10 years after it's still a very real situation. It's an open wound for the fire service and America as a whole," said Dave Scanlan, Frankfort Fire Department.
During the parade, about 200 firefighters escorting a beam from the World Trade Center down the parade route. The twisted steel served as a walking September 11th memorial. The passing of a decade since the tragedy made Sunday's remembrance all the more poignant for firefighters and residents alike.
"I think our younger generation needs to see it because they hear about it but never got to experience it, so seeing a live piece is very important," said parade goer Karen Kebschull.
"It's overwhelming, it feels great. And they're here for the right reasons -- to pay respect and honor to those who serve on a daily basis but definitely for those who lost their lives on September 11th," said Chief Jim Grady, Frankfort Fire Department.
"This is about awareness, you know, keep everybody aware of what happened and don't let them forget 'cause we're not gonna forget," Assistant Chief Larry Rauch, Frankfort Fire Department.
This was all part of Frankfort's 43rd annual Fall Festival and Labor Day parade. The event featured bands, floats and dignitaries.
