Stafford County will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony to honor those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. The event, which has taken place every year since 2002, marks the 24th anniversary of the tragedy that resulted in over 3,000 deaths at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Due to construction at the George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center, this year’s event will be held outside the Stafford County Public Safety Building on Courthouse Road.
Speakers will include Deuntay Diggs, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors; Joseph Cardello, Chief of Stafford County Fire and Rescue; and Sheriff David Decatur from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.
“Today’s ceremony is about remembering and honoring those who lost their lives,” said Deuntay Diggs, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. “It is also a solemn reminder of our responsibility to ensure that tragedies like this are never repeated.”
The bell-ringing portion of the ceremony features five tolls—a tradition that signals firefighters’ safe return to their station and is also used during funerals for fire and rescue personnel.
Chairman Diggs will deliver opening remarks as well as introduce Pastor Chris Brown for an invocation. The program includes a presentation of colors and singing of the national anthem before additional remarks by Sheriff Decatur and Chief Cardello. Chief Cardello will lead the bell ringing before Taps is played by an Honor Guard.
Stafford County serves a growing community with public schools enrolling more than 31,700 students during the 2023-24 school year (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Brooke Point High School had the highest enrollment among local schools with over 2,200 students (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). White students made up nearly 39% of district enrollment while Hispanic students accounted for about one-quarter (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Overall school enrollment increased by nearly two percent compared to last year (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home).
