Rochester Area Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Communities across the Rochester region are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with memorial ceremonies, concerts, vigils and tributes honoring victims, first responders and military service members.

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners in a coordinated attack against the United States. Two planes struck New York City's World Trade Center, bringing down both Twin Towers, while a third crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. A fourth jet went down in Pennsylvania after passengers resisted the hijackers. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, and the attacks triggered sweeping changes to U.S. security policy and the nation's response to terrorism.

Among the most significant observances are Rochester Institute of Technology's display of 2,977 flags, one for each person who died that day. The observances also include dedication of Monroe County's new 9/11 First Responders Memorial, and the Eastman School's world premiere of a composition written specifically for the 25th anniversary. The Brockport Fire District's all-day honor guard and memorial vigil also stands out as one of the region's most extensive commemorations.

September 11

MCC September 11 Remembrance Ceremony

Time: 8 to 9 a.m. Location: Remembrance Monument outside Building 10, Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Brighton.

Former New York City police officer and Monroe County Legislator Paul Dondorfer is the keynote speaker, recalling his role on scene in NYC during 9/11

RIT 9/11 Vigil and Flag Display

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:03 a.m. Location: The Sentinel, RIT campus, Henrietta

Air Force ROTC cadets and university groups will display 2,977 flags, one for each victim killed in the attacks, with taps played at key moments corresponding to the attacks.

Brockport Fire District Day of Reflection and Remembrance

Time: Opening ceremony 8:30 a.m.; closing ceremony 6:30 p.m. Location: Firefighter Memorial Monument, Station 4, 237 South Main St., Brockport

An honor guard of first responders and community members will stand watch throughout the day.

East Rochester Fire Department Memorial Ceremony

Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: 415 Main St., East Rochester

The public ceremony honors those killed in the attacks and the emergency personnel who responded.

Irondequoit Police Department Remembrance Ceremony

Time: 8:46 a.m. Location: Irondequoit Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave., Irondequoit

The ceremony begins at the exact time the first plane struck the North Tower.

American Flag Installation at Pittsford Grain Tower

Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Pittsford Grain Tower, Schoen Place

Town crews will install a large 30-by-60-foot American flag on the Pittsford Grain Tower as part of the community's 9/11 remembrance observances.

Spencerport Wreath-Laying Ceremony

Time: 10 a.m. Location: Spencerport Fire District Station 1, 175 Lyell Ave., Spencerport

Firefighters will honor victims and those suffering long-term health effects related to 9/11.

9/11 First Responders Memorial Dedication

Time: 11 a.m.Location: Gary Beikirch Memorial Park, 1440 South Ave., Rochester

Monroe County officials, labor leaders and veterans advocates will unveil a new permanent memorial honoring first responders.

Eastman School of Music Remembrance Concert

Time: 11:30 a.m. Location: Kilbourn Hall, 22 Gibbs St., Rochester

The Eastman Horn Choir and members of the U.S. Army Field Band will perform a special 25th anniversary concert featuring the world premiere of Qualia Memoriam, a new composition reflecting on September 11 across generations.

St. John Fisher University Stair Climb

Time: 3 p.m. Location: Kearney Hall, St. John Fisher University, Pittsford

Students, faculty and first responders will climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs in tribute to those lost.

Webster Memorial Ceremony

Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 28 North Ave., Webster

The ceremony includes music from the Webster Village Band and student performers.

Canandaigua Remembrance Ceremony

Time: 6 p.m. Location: American Legion Post 256, 454 North Main St., Canandaigua

A public ceremony will be followed by a reception.

Chili Fire Department 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

Time: 6 p.m. Location: 3231 Chili Ave., Chili

The memorial includes a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center.

9//11 Remembrance Ceremony

Time: 8:00 p.m. (gathering begins at 7:45 p.m.) Location: Carpenter Park at the Port of Pittsford, 22 North Main Street

The Town of Pittsford will hold its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony featuring remarks, a Remembrance Vigil of Light, and the lighting of the Towers of Light. Attendees are encouraged to bring a cell phone or flashlight to participate in the vigil during a moment of silence honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks, first responders, and all those impacted by the tragedy.

Earlier events this week: Sept. 6: Participants at Innovative Field climbed the equivalent of the World Trade Center's 110 stories in honor of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11. The event also featured a traveling exhibit with artifacts tied to the attacks. September 10 Vigil of Remembrance: The Monroe County War on Terror Memorial hosted its second annual Vigil of Remembrance at Gary Beikirch Memorial Park, honoring military personnel who died in conflicts following the attacks


America will also mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with memorial ceremonies at Ground Zero in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Families of victims, first responders and public officials will gather to honor those killed in the attacks, while New York's Tribute in Light once again illuminates the sky over Lower Manhattan.

New York City (World Trade Center / Ground Zero)

• The annual 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony will take place at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
• Family members will read the names of the victims killed at the World Trade Center attacks.
• Moments of silence are expected to mark the times when the towers were struck and collapsed, as well as the Pentagon and Flight 93 attacks.
• The Tribute in Light will return after dark, with twin beams illuminating the New York sky in remembrance of the victims.

Pentagon (Arlington, Virginia)

• Victims' families, military personnel, first responders and government officials are expected to gather at the Pentagon Memorial for a remembrance ceremony honoring the 184 people killed in the attack on the Pentagon.
• The observance is part of the national 25th-anniversary commemorations occurring simultaneously with ceremonies in New York and Pennsylvania.

Shanksville, Pennsylvania (Flight 93 National Memorial)

• The 25th annual September 11 Observance Ceremony will be held at the Flight 93 National Memorial.
• A morning observance at the Wall of Names will include the reading of the names of the 40 passengers and crew members of United Flight 93 and the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance.
• An afternoon ceremony will feature remarks, keynote speakers, music and a public wreath-laying ceremony.
• Additional commemorative events are scheduled Sept. 9-13, including special tributes marking the 25th anniversary.