Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Charles Dean has thought about it every day for six years, but he still has a hard time understanding and believing the tragedy that shaped America on Sept. 11, 2001.

On Tuesday, he'll stop to remember the men and women who died in terrorist attacks that day, especially the 343 firefighters who were killed at Ground Zero.

"We go in to do our job we've been trained to do and we don't know what could happen," said Dean, a Gwinnett County firefighter. "We want a way to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice."

Members of the Red Knights, a motorcycle club for firefighters, will participate in a memorial ride Tuesday to acknowledge the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11.

"Since it's been six years to pass, a lot of citizens don't remember all the details. To fire and police (personnel), it's something we still remember everyday," Dean said. "That was a day everybody remembers and respects."

Before the ride, the group will host a memorial service at

10 a.m. at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial, which is located at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. The ride will begin at about 10:30 and will end at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.