08/24/2026
A Message From...Chief David Nadeau
There are a rare, few times in life when you know you are touching history. This is one of those times. It has been a process. It began over 15 years ago by members of this department who have since retired. The entirety of this effort has been conducted with due reverence, respect, and honor by those who were alive to witness the day of the terrorist attacks in New York City. In 2011, then-Firefighter Earl Lincoln requested an artifact from the World Trade Center and was informed that the Hooksett Fire Rescue Department had been selected to receive one. In May of 2011, members of this Department traveled to NY to receive our artifact from the WTC and delivered it back to Hooksett. For years it was displayed proudly in the lobby of the Safety Center. Annually on the anniversary of 9/11, the Honor Guard would conduct a detail by the artifact, ringing the bell and honoring the fallen. It was always intended to have the artifact in a place the public could access and gather to show their respect as well.
We are finally at the fulfillment of many years of effort towards that goal. There are many we want to thank for making this happen: Lt. Earl Lincoln for spearheading this project over 15 years ago. This would not have happened without you. We’d like to recognize the Manchester School of Technology– especially teacher Mr. Dan Cassidy and his class in 2025 for their time and talent in creating the base for the artifact and for their expertise in preparing and treating the 800 lb. piece of steel for outdoor display. We sincerely hope that, as a generation not yet born when the attacks occurred, their role in preserving this meaningful piece of history will stay with them and help carry its memory forward. We thank Nowak Landscape Construction for their donation of a remnant granite piece that our members carved and smoothed to be a base for the bronze plaque. The plaque was made possible by donation funds we received in 2025 by the Rice Family of Hooksett. We hope they appreciate knowing that their donation will live in perpetuity in this memorial. We also thank the members of the department who contributed to the installation of this memorial – Firefighters Alex Beaton, Seth Boden, Captain Jesse Gayer, and Assistant Chief Seth Miller and Chief David Nadeau. The respect and reverence in which this project was undertaken is a testimony to the promise that we as brothers and sisters make when we say we “NEVER FORGET”.
Today, we proudly announce the permanent installation of the 9/11 artifact from the Twin Towers of New York City at the Hooksett Safety Center. We look forward to gathering with our community and Department members, past and present, on 9/11/2026 as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks and remembering our brothers and sisters lost on that day.
A detailed invitation to join us will follow in the next week or two on our social media.