Tuesday, September 11, 2012 marks the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. While it may be eleven years later, the events of that day are fresh in the memories of thousands of people, especially those in New York City, where the attack took place.
Friends, spouses, mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, significant others, and neighbors were all among those who were lost when the Twin Towers came down after hijacked planes crashed into each tower, on a day that many will never forget. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost that day and many continue to lose their lives as they battle health issues that first responders, police officers, firefighters and cleanup crews developed from being down in Ground Zero for months following the attacks.
On the eleventh anniversary of that unforgettable day, families, friends, survivors and leaders will gather at Ground Zero to remember and pay respects to those who were lost.
There will be several events taking place around New York City as residents remember that tragic day. The most notable event will take place at the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. Last year, during the 10th anniversary of the attacks, the memorial was opened to families and then the public.
The memorial consists of two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of where the towers once stood. The pools are surrounded by walls which contain the names of all of those who lost their lives in the 2001 and 1993 World Trade Center attacks.
This location is where the main memorial event will take place in the city.
Here is the schedule of the events at the memorial:
8:46 a.m. - A moment of silence is held for the time when the first plane struck the north tower.
Families of victims will then start to read the names of those lost in the attacks. No politicians will be making speeches during the ceremony.
9:03 a.m. Another moment of silence is held to mark the time when the second plane hit the south tower.
9:37 a.m. A moment of silence is held for those who died when Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
9:59 a.m. A moment of silence is held to observe the time when the south tower fell.
10:03 a.m. A moment of silence is held for those who died when Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m. A moment of silence is held to mark the time when the north tower fell.
12 p.m. The program comes to a close.
The Tribute in Light, which has been used to mark each anniversary for several years, will be turned on when the sun goes down.
Here is a list of other events taking place within New York City:
Manhattan
At 5:30 p.m., the Peach of Heart Choir will hold a sing-along at the Merchant's Gate of Central Park at 59th street.
Trinity Church, across from Ground Zero, will host a concert featuring the will be hosting a the United States Military Academy Band. The concert, expected to begin at 3pm is called "On This Day: Celebrating the Spirit of America."
Queens
In Breezy Point, a community at the end of the Rockaways, will hold a ceremony at the Tribute Park at Rockaway Point Blvd and Beach 218th St. Starting at 8:30 a.m., residents will read the names of those who lost their lives on 9/11 from Breezy and the Rockaways.
In Middle Village, at Juniper Valley Park, a candlelight vigil will take place at 7:30 p.m. The ceremony will also include music and speeches by elected officials
Staten Island
In the St. Georges neightborhood of Staten Island, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Borough President James P. Molinaro will lead a ceremony at the Postcards monument starting at 6;30 p.m. A prayer will be held and family members will read off the names of the more than 200 Staten Island residents who were killed on 9/11.
Borough President Molinaro will also sponsor a blood drive at Borough Hall and Wagner College from 9:30- 3:30 p.m.
Brooklyn
Barbemusic will host their annual concert tribute at the Fulton Ferry landing on Old Fulton Street. Starting at 8:00 p.m., attendees can hear works of Bach, Schubert, Chopin, and others.
Although no official event is planned, several Brooklyn residents will gather at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, across from downtown Manhattan, to view the Tribute in Lights and hold silent, personal ceremonies.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
