Alderman Van R. Johnson, II and Savannah Fire Chief Charles Middleton (right) were among those attending the Patriots Day Remembrance Ceremony. Savannah Firefighters held a Patriots Day Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday, September 11, 2008. The event was open to the community. Firefighters rang "Big Duke", the historic department bell, with the final alarm tone 5-5-5-5. Metro Police Officers, Port Authority Officers, and Firefighters stood together in a moment of silence to remember those public safety workers and courageous civilians who gave their all on September 11, 2001.

The ceremony was part of a nationally coordinated fire department event. Firefighters across America assembled at 9:58 a.m. in honor of the 343 New York Firefighters, 23 New York Police Officers, 37 Port Authority Officers, and the 2500+ civilians killed in the New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania attacks.