September 11, 2026, marked the 25th Anniversary of the suicide terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. A large number of first responders and local citizens marked the occasion by vowing to Never Forget and participating in a Memorial Walk along Fair Oaks Parkway from the intersection at Dietz Elkhorn to the CVS parking lot near IH-10.

The solemn event through the heart of the Ranch was spearheaded by longtime Fair Oaks resident Roger Fuentes and was actually first held in 2021. That modest Saturday morning walk some five years ago included only five walkers accompanied by one person riding a horse. Roger, a San Antonio native who was an Alamo City firefighter for nearly 43 years, has lived in FOR since 1995, and has also served as a Fair Oaks Ranch Police Officer. He has been retired since 2015.

The number of individuals involved in the Memorial Walk has increased each year, but it grew significantly this 9/11 due to the landmark 25th Anniversary. A special invitation to the Bexar County Emergency Services District 4 Fire & Rescue group that supports, among other locations, the City of Fair Oaks Ranch, brought a large contingent of First Responders in full gear, which was particularly poignant considering the enormous sacrifices made by so many emergency personnel at the Twin Towers.

With the momentum from the 9/11 Walk, next year’s event, which will be on Saturday, September 11, 2027, will be communicated to the entire community well in advance so that many others can partake and, indeed, show their support and determination to Never Forget.