SATF staff honor fallen first responders for Sept. 11

September 22, 2025

Staff at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) and State Prison at Corcoran honored first responders lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

SATF’s first Honor Walk honored and paid respects for the lives lost during the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001.

Staff from all departments gathered in the Administration parking lot for the Honor Walk.

The event was opened with a prayer by acting Associate Warden Eric Smith followed by remarks from Warden Morales.

Flags at half-staff at SATF in honor of first responders lost in Sept. 11, 2001.

“When most were running away from danger, first responders including firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel, and countless others, ran towards it,” said Morales. “They climbed stairwells filled with smoke, searched through rubble, and risked everything in the hope of saving even one more life. May we never forget their bravery and their sacrifice. And may we continue to honor them not just with our words today, but with the way we live every day.”

Then members of the SATF Honor Guard presented the flag and raised it to half-staff while Taps was played. This was a tribute to the 441 first responders who were lost during the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the flight brought down in a Pennsylvania field.

The ceremony concluded with staff members walking 441 yards around SATF’s park in honor of the 441 fallen first responders.

All institutional staff observed a moment of silence at 9:11 a.m. announced over the radio in solemn remembrance.

Submitted by Lt. Kyle Cade