(Sounds of emergency broadcast from World Trade Center)
On screen: September 11, 2011

Brian LaCroix, president, Allina Health Emergency Medical Services: We mark the tenth anniversary of the attacks of 9-11. Many of us have indelible memories of where we were and what we did that day.

Jeff Czyson, certified emergency manager: And then at 9:03, just a few minutes after sitting back down with my daughter and feeding her, I watched live as the second plane flew into the tower. And I sat there with my mouth hanging open.

Mark Dascalos, previous first responder at Oklahoma City bombing: My wife, when I told her something is going on and we don't know what it is, she said instead of saying anything else, she just said, "Please don't go to New York City."

LaCroix: There were heroes that day and they are heroes still. All across Minnesota and indeed, all across the nation, there are men and women who stand ready to serve those who need help.

Even though we were miles away from the actual attack site, things changed for us for us here in Minnesota and around the world immediately. I recall that we had about a 30 percent increase in run volume. There was palpable anxiety in the community. And an eerie silence in the hours and days ahead when all air traffic came to a halt.

Jeff Lanenberg, certified emergency manager, Allina Health Emergency Medical Services; former district chief of the Bloomington, Minnesota, Fire Department: If there is anything that stood out in my mind that day it was heading east on 86th Street, behind pretty much a full assignment of fire vehicles, engines, trucks, and myself as a chief. And then seeing family members stepping outside of their houses in clusters and groups. And they were scared.

Angie Fox, dispatch supervisor, Allina Health Emergency Medical Services: I think that people, now because something like that is a reality, that they really think about everything that happens and what the possibilities are. It gets you to think about what you really need to do on an everyday basis.

I don't think any of us on that day could have imagined these huge buildings falling down and taking that many first responders and responders with them.

LaCroix: So on the tenth anniversary of 9-11, we honor those who died, we pay tribute to those who responded, and we thank those who served, then and now.

On screen: A tribute to the victims and survivors of 9-11 from Allina Health Emergency Medical Services of Minnesota

All across America there are men and women who stand ready to serve when we need them. All committed to helping us handle our worst day. We honor them and thank them all.