Troy, NY (WNYT) – 16 Troy firefighters were part of the New York State Urban Search and Rescue Team that responded to 9/11. Captain Gary Favro was one of them.

“They lined the streets five deep, waving flags 24 hours a day. It was overwhelming and it really helped the first responders knowing they had that kind of support,” he said.

Off 112th Street in Troy, a giant flag was suspended by fire trucks. First responders lined up underneath.

They rang the bell at the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello read out the names of the 16 Troy firefighters who went down to help.

Even though that day was more than two decades ago, Troy firefighter Eric Wisher got emotional remembering the courage and sacrifice.

“If you went back and listened to the radio reports that day, you hear fire officers refusing orders to leave the building,” he said. “They basically know they’re going to die and they’re still trying to help people.”

The monument in the 9/11 memorial park is engraved. “How quickly life can change,” it says.

“A lot of us were on the state team,” said Favro. “There wasn’t a firefighter in this country that didn’t want to get down and help in some way. Obviously you still had to staff the fire department, but guys that were able to get down covered for them on their shifts. So everybody was all in. One united country and that’s what we need again that’s for sure.”

The hope is that people will remember not only 9/11, but also the unity and solidarity of the days that followed.