The Lockport Fire Department will host a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony beginning promptly at 9 a.m.
Attendees are asked to assemble on the big bridge in front of fire headquarters.
This year, city firefighters will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, as well as downing of United Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, when the plane’s passengers attempted to overcome four hijackers. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost over the three locations.
All members of the Lockport community, as well as surrounding fire departments and emergency services, are invited to attend. Attendees are asked to arrive before the start of the 9 a.m. ceremony.
Other 9/11 events taking place this year:
Memorial Stair Climb
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Emergency Services will commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with the annual Memorial Stair Climb on at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Niagara Gorge.
The event honors the first responders who climbed 110 stories, or 1,980 steps, in their attempts to rescue those trapped inside the burning World Trade Center towers.
Donations will be accepted in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The event is open to all.
NU to host ceremony
Niagara University’s Veteran Services Office will host a remembrance ceremony on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor area first responders and those impacted by the tragedy.
The ceremony will begin at 9:04 a.m. at the flagpole between Alumni Chapel and Glynn Hall, formerly St. Vincent’s Hall, on the Niagara University campus. The event is open to the public.
Sheriff Michael Filicetti will serve as the keynote speaker. He will discuss the changes to homeland security and law enforcement practices that followed the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the lasting impact of those changes on first responders and public safety.
The ceremony will provide an opportunity for the Niagara University community and members of the public to reflect on the lives lost, recognize the service of first responders and remember the lasting impact of 9/11.
Healing Field in NT
The Healing Field, a display of 1,500 full-size American flags, will be placed at Gratwick Riverside Park in North Tonawanda by Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club from Friday through Sunday as a tribute of gratitude and remembrance.
The third annual event’s theme is “Remember and Never Forget” and is a tribute to those who lost their lives and to families that are forever impacted on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
“All proceeds will be donated to area veterans’ groups and First Responders,” Ron Sciandra, chairman of the event, said.
This year’s three-day remembrance will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday, with volunteers reading all 3,000 names. A bell will toll at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m., coinciding with the time one of the targets was hit. At the same time, volunteers will put up the flags in the field. All are invited to this moving ceremony.
At 6 p.m. Friday, the official ceremony with a speaker and musical presentation will begin. Those attending are encouraged to walk among the flags, say a prayer for those who lost their lives and remember the 9/11 tragedy.
On Saturday, a musical presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a ceremony at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, music will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a ceremony at 10 a.m. and an opportunity to retrieve flags that will be taken down to end the three-day tribute.