For residents of North Forest, September 11 remains more than a date in history. It is a day tied to memories of loss, courage and the way communities came together in the face of tragedy — values that were reflected locally Friday as first responders and neighbors gathered to mark 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office attended the Cy-Champ 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on September 11, 2026, joining fellow first responders and community members at Cy-Champ Park in northwest Houston to honor the nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11, 2001, along with the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and others who responded.

“Today, we pause to remember those we lost, honor the heroes who ran toward danger, and stand with the families whose lives were forever changed. We will never forget,” Constable Mark Herman said.

A Northwest Houston Memorial With Lasting Meaning

The setting itself carries special meaning for northwest Harris County.

Cy-Champ Park is home to the Fallen Warriors Memorial, located near the park’s nature trail. Four large granite walls bear the names of Texas service members who lost their lives in service, creating a permanent place where families and community members can reflect on sacrifice and remembrance. (Prestonwood Forest Online)

For families in North Forest and surrounding neighborhoods, the memorial offers a nearby place to connect national history with the people who have served closer to home.

The park also includes memorials honoring working canines, including a tribute connected to Bretagne, the Texas search-and-rescue dog remembered for her service at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks. Those memorials broaden the story of 9/11 remembrance beyond a single day, recognizing the many forms of service that followed the attacks.

25 Years Later, a New Generation Remembers

The 2026 ceremony carried particular significance because it marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

A quarter-century has now passed, meaning many children and young adults attending remembrance events today were not alive when the attacks occurred. Community ceremonies such as the one at Cy-Champ Park help pass those stories forward — not only the details of what happened, but also the examples of bravery, public service and neighbors supporting one another afterward.

That connection can be especially meaningful in communities such as North Forest, where firefighters, deputies, veterans, military families and other public servants are part of everyday neighborhood life.

The presence of local constable deputies alongside residents offered a reminder that remembrance is not limited to national monuments or major cities. It also happens in neighborhood parks, beside local memorials and among families who choose to gather and remember together.

A Place for Reflection Beyond September 11

Cy-Champ Park remains open as a community recreation space, with a roughly 1.5-mile nature trail, shaded walking areas and a playground in addition to the Fallen Warriors Memorial. 

That means residents do not have to wait for an annual ceremony to visit the memorial. The site provides a quiet place throughout the year to reflect on military service, first responders and the sacrifices remembered there.

Twenty-five years after September 11, the message from Friday’s ceremony remained simple: remember those who were lost, honor those who served and continue sharing their stories with the generations that follow.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories honoring the people, events and traditions that connect communities across northwest Harris County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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