COEUR d’ALENE — More than 20 years later, the memories of 9/11 are still fresh for retired New York City Police Department Lt. George Howley.

“They say, ‘Never forget,’” Howley said Sunday, addressing a crowd of first responders, elected officials and Kootenai County residents at the Silver Lake Mall. “Sometimes I try to forget.”

Howley became emotional as he described the aftermath of the attacks. The crowd clapped, encouraging him.

He and his fellow officers had seen the towers burning from miles away, as they raced toward danger on roads blocked off to all but law enforcement and first responders. But they could not have imagined what they would find at ground zero.

It was like the site of a volcanic eruption, Howley said. They made their way through more than a foot of ash.

Black smoke glowed orange from the flames, so thick that the engines in their vehicles gave out for lack of oxygen.

Howley watched a line of firefighters disappear into the darkness.

Among them was his former partner, 28-year-old Andrew Brunn, an NYPD cop turned firefighter.

Brunn’s body was one of the first Howley recovered. He had been helping two injured people escape when the building collapsed.

Upon his retirement, Howley moved to Coeur d’Alene with his family. He has two children, both born after the 9/11 attacks. They’re among the many reasons he’s grateful to have survived when so many of his fellow first responders perished.

“After 2001, it’s all a gift,” he said. “I’m blessed to be in Idaho, surrounded by the best people.”

Though people came together Sunday to honor the victims and remember the attacks, Howley said the tragedy isn’t the only thing worth remembering. There was heroism, too, and an incredible sense of togetherness.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris echoed the sentiment when he addressed the crowd, noting how blood donations skyrocketed and many people enlisted in the armed forces.

“We will never forget how kind we were to each other,” he said. “It was as if we became the United States of America once again.”

Howley recalled how people came in droves, from across the country and around the world, to help in the wake of the attacks.

“The camaraderie and patriotism was something I’d never experienced,” he said. “I pray that feeling comes back someday.”