BOONSBORO – The streets of Boonsboro were lined with American flags and filled with solemn reflection Thursday evening as the community gathered for the town’s 24th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Parade.
Organized by the First Hose Company of Boonsboro, the parade honors the nearly 2,977 lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and pays tribute to first responders, law enforcement officers and members of the military who continue to serve.
The parade began at 6 p.m. on Main Street, with fire engines leading the procession. The sounds of patriotic music echoed through town as rescue vehicles, police units, veterans’ groups and community organizations made their way down the route. Families gathered on the sidewalks, waving American flags and cheering as each unit passed. Children held handmade signs with messages of thanks for firefighters and soldiers, while older residents bowed their heads in moments of silence.
Parade Coordinator Vernon Brown, a member of First Hose Company, emphasized that the event is about more than just tradition. “Every year, we come together to make sure the memory of 9/11 is never forgotten,” Brown said. “It’s a reminder of sacrifice, of service and of the strength of our community.”
The evening also included a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps,” followed by the tolling of a bell to honor fallen first responders. Residents said the atmosphere was both solemn and uplifting, a chance to mourn but also a chance to celebrate resilience.
This year’s parade brought participants from all over Washington County and even beyond that. Fire companies from nearby towns joined Boonsboro’s first responders, along with color guards, civic groups and veterans’ organizations. Local officials walked alongside the procession, shaking hands with residents and thanking the men and women in uniform.
For residents, the parade has become a marker of both remembrance and unity. As the sun set over Main Street and the last firetruck cleared the route, the sense of community lingered. For Boonsboro, the Annual 9/11 Remembrance Parade is more than a ceremony, it’s a promise to never forget.
