HOUSTON -- The Astros on Monday honored area first responders and military personnel to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including policemen, firefighters and EMS personnel.

"It's important to all of us because that's such a huge day in our lives," Astros manager Brad Mills said of the 9/11 remembrance.

Earlier in the day, Astros players Jason Bourgeois, Clint Barmes, Matt Downs, Carlos Lee and Humberto Quintero -- along with former player, manager and broadcaster Larry Dierker -- visited an "adopted" firehouse and presented firefighters with a framed autographed jersey, also meeting both on-duty and off-duty firefighters and their families.

The Houston Fire Department Bagpipe Band performed "America the Beautiful" as heroes took the field for the pregame ceremony. In addition, one representative from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department and Houston Emergency Medical Service threw out the game's ceremonial first pitches.

Astros players Mark Melancon, Downs, Brett Wallace, Barmes, David Carpenter, Bourgeois, Jordan Lyles, Jose Altuve and Brian Bogusevic each caught a ceremonial first pitch.