Ceremonies around the country today honor the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001.
Members of the J.R.O.T.C Honor Guard participate in a ceremony at Western High School to honor the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center's twin towers on September 10, 2021 in Davie, Florida. Each year, at the student-constructed memorial, they host an Annual 9/11 We Will Never Forget Memorial Ceremony, which pays tribute to the men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, in New York City.
The Tribute In Light shines into the sky from Lower Manhattan in New York City.
"This morning, police officers joined firefighters as they paused to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, that led to the loss of so many lives, including 343 firefighters in New York City. Chief Slaughter was among those joining other officers and firefighters at Station 48."
A family member of East Rutherford Fire Department volunteer firefighter Dennis G. Taormina Jr. and his brother-in-law, Thomas V. Linehan Jr., salutes after reading the names of those killed in the 9/11 attacks and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing during the annual commemoration ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
U.S. service members attend the Pentagon 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia.
People gather in lower Manhattan near Ground Zero as the city commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2021 in New York City.
"Twenty years ago, our country was forever changed. Today, we remember the 2,977 lives lost on that day, including 412 first responders. We had a kind citizen bring us this box of cookies yesterday. And although the treats are greatly appreciated, the note is what did it for us. Today, we hope you hold your loved ones a little closer and cherish every moment. #neverforget "
September 11th memorabilia before the start of a 9/11 memorial service and dedication of a display case at Port Authority Bus Terminal on September 09, 2021 in New York City. A 9/11 memorial service and dedication was held at the Port Authority Bus Terminal two days before the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. The display case features donated memorabilia, along with two video monitors of scrolling photos of the day. The centerpiece of the case is a replica of the Twin Towers made of steel from the original World Trade Center and crafted by the maintenance staff of the bus terminal.
The Washington Monument stands as the 'Tower of Light'" tribute rises skyward from near the Pentagon on September 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation brought the lights to the Pentagon and Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The south-facing view from the Top of The Rock Observation Deck at the top of Rockefeller Center on September 09, 2021 in New York City. New York City and the surrounding communities are preparing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Guests bow their heads during a prayer at the 20th Anniversary remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Military personnel during the Guard Change at Windsor Castle, to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack by Al-Qaida in the United States, on September 11, 2021 in Windsor, England.
People walk by One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan near Ground Zero as the city commemorates the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2021 in New York City.
The family of former first responder John Coughlin enjoys a breakfast during a get together on August 28, 2021 in Cortlandt Manor, New York. John Coughlin, a 43-year-old NYPD Emergency Services sergeant with Truck 4, was one of 403 first responders who died in the terror attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. He is survived by his wife Patty and three daughters Erin, Tara, and Kayla. Both Erin and Kayla are now members of the NYPD, and Erin now wears the shield number of her late father.
The retired NYFD fireboat John D. McKean sprays water during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 boat lift along the Hudson River on September 10, 2021 in New York City. Retired in 2010, the McKean was one of the fire boats that responded to Lower Manhattan during the September 11 attacks to supply firefighters with water after water mains broke following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. A volunteer fleet of ferries, yachts, tugboats and other watercraft rescued almost half a million people who were stranded in Lower Manhattan after other forms of transportation were cut off following the September 11, 2001 attack.
A moveable mural honoring the FDNY Ladder 15 and Engine 6 firefighters who died 20 years ago in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack is set up in the station house on September 10, 2021 in New York City. The FDNY lost 343 firefighters that day, including 14 from this station house on South Street in Lower Manhattan.
President Joseph Biden and his wife first lady Dr. Jill Biden attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the 20th Anniversary remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Bruce Springsteen performs during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
A flag hangs outside of the Pentagon prior to wreath laying ceremony with President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff scheduled to take place later this afternoon at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia.
A bell is rung during a moment of silence during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2021 in New York City. During the ceremony six moments of silence were held, marking when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck and fell and the times corresponding to the attack on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93.
Flowers adorn the names of the victims of the attacks during a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial.
Flags and flowers adorn the names of the victims of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, during a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2021 in New York City.
People visit the Washington Monument as flags encircling the monument are flown at half staff on September 11, 2021 in Washington, DC.
One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, stands in lower Manhattan at the September 11th Memorial on September 9, 2021 in New York City. New York City and much of the nation are preparing for the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in both New York City and Washington D.C. The United States has officially ended its participation in the war in Afghanistan, a two-decade-long conflict that began shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Almost 2,500 U.S. service members have died in the conflict, and thousands of Afghan troops, police personnel and civilians have also been killed.
People sit on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as the The ‘Tower of Light' tribute rises skyward from near the Pentagon on the eve of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on September 10, 2021 in Washington, DC. The light tribute is one of two light displays, including one in Shanksville, PA, that is put on by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Former President George W Bush speaks at the 20th Anniversary remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 11, 2021 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Flowers and photographs are placed into the inscribed names of the victims of the 9/11 attacks and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing during the annual commemoration ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2021 in New York City.
Former U.S. Special Operations officer George Dutile receives a touch up of his tattoo featuring a piece of the World Trade Center towers on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on September 11, 2021 in Greenwich, Connecticut. To mark the day, tattoo artist Laura Crow touched up his tattoo, based on a 9/11 memorial at a U.S. Navy Seals base in Virginia Beach. Dutile served as a Special Ops reconnaissance officer in Pakistan supporting the Seal Team Six operation that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011. During his 16 year military career he deployed to combat zones ten times, first as a U.S. Marine and then a Special Operations officer, with seven of those deployments to Afghanistan. He lamented the recent withdrawal of U.S. forces from that country. "I don't want people to forget Afghanistan. It's not over," he said. Dutile is now an executive director at J.P. Morgan in New York City, working as a private wealth advisor.
The Tribute In Light shines into the sky from Lower Manhattan during a test as seen from the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Honoring the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack that killed almost 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Tribute in Light is a commemorative public art installation that was first presented six months after 9/11 and then every year since on the anniversary. New York City is preparing to mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.