Sept. 11 first responders tell of Canada-U.S. bonds at B.C. border ceremony
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SURREY – New York first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, have spoken of the enduring bonds between Canada and the United States at a ceremony along the border between British Columbia and Washington state to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
They were among hundreds of first responders, military and border officers and dignitaries from both countries at the annual Northwest 9/11 Memorial ceremony at the Peach Arch monument between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash.
Retired New York firefighter Cody Stamberger says he wasn’t scheduled to work that morning, but left a doctor’s appointment to head in as soon as he saw what was happening.
While he believes his roster that day may have saved his life, Stamberger says he was “extraordinarily angry” not to have been with his fellow firefighters the whole time.
The third-generation firefighter says “shoulder to shoulder” solidarity is on display between the two countries at the memorial, decorated with rows of Canadian and U.S. flags.
Stamberger says the event shows the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States “doesn’t matter” when it comes to honouring those killed that day.
“This is about society. This is about togetherness, unity, and honour,” he says, describing how Canadian teams had joined Sept. 11 rescue efforts, and the Canadian military fought in Afghanistan.
“We play the game together, and we always have. We’ve done it through everything. D-Day? We stormed the beaches together.”
Retired New York fire department paramedic Roberto Abril was also at the Peace Arch memorial.
His paramedic partner Carlos Lillo died in the attacks.
Abril says the scale of the tragedy had humbled him and given him a reason to “love everybody.”
The retired paramedic has now attended four services at the arch, and says he’s been surprised how Canadians and Americans alike “opened their hearts to us, as if we are a family.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2026.