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NEW YORK CITY — For 25 years, the annual Tribute in Light has stood as a soaring memorial to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Among the people who have helped keep the twin beams shining is Valerie Webb, who was asked to flip the switch for the first Tribute in Light just six months after the attacks. Webb was 12 years old at the time and had recently lost her father, a Port Authority officer.
Nearly 25 years later, Webb reflected on her father and what she hopes people remember about him.
“He was my hero before any of this. He was kind, he was funny, he was generous. Just great guy. A big family man. Our favorite thing was to go to Toys ‘R’ Us. I spent about every weekend there, so I’m going to the arcade. Anything fun, he was the fun guy,” she said.
Webb said participating in the Tribute in Light remains a meaningful way to honor her father’s memory.
“He gave the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life to save so many others. So, I felt like it was the least I could do to honor him. I love to see the lights come up every year. It just makes me feel like a little bit closer to my dad. I love that it still goes on, it just feels good,” she said.
In addition to Webb, a team of workers behind the scenes helps make the Tribute in Light possible each year, ensuring the memorial continues to honor those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
Webb said seeing the lights return annually helps keep her father’s memory close and serves as a lasting tribute to his sacrifice.
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