Remembering 9/11 In The Mountain State And Beyond

Wednesday marks 23 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America known as 9/11. To this day, the memory of the attacks and the nearly 3,000 lives they claimed looms large nationwide — including in West Virginia.

On Dec. 18, 2001, Congress passed a joint resolution declaring Sept. 11 Patriot Day. In honor of that remembrance, Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation ordering all United States and West Virginia flags at state-owned facilities to be displayed at half-staff from dawn to dusk, Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Like in years past, organizations across the Mountain State and the country are hosting memorial services and events to remember those who lost their lives. West Virginia Public Broadcasting has compiled a list of some of the events memorializing the tragedy more than two decades later.

A Moment of Silence At WVU Potomac State College

Keyser students, professors and community members are gathering at the WVU Potomac State College flagpole, located on the quad at 101 Fort Ave., for a moment of silence and observation at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday. Veterans and visitors not affiliated with the school are invited to attend.

Reflecting Over Breakfast In Morgantown

Several organizations affiliated with West Virginia University are meeting on campus Wednesday to discuss a service program known as “Seneca Rocks 10th Mountain: Climb to Glory.” The program brought together veterans, their families and community members for a clean-up project at Seneca Rocks, a park in Pendleton County.

From 9 to 11 a.m. community members will gather in the Mountainlair Ballroom, located at 1550 University Ave. in Morgantown. All are welcome to attend, though advance registration online is preferred.

The event will be held by the WVU Center for Community Engagement, the Center for Veterans, Military Families and Family Programs, the WVU AmeriCorps VISTA program and the WVU ROTC program.

Photo Credit: Eric Douglas/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

A Fire Company Ceremony In The Eastern Panhandle

The Independent Fire Company in Ranson, a town in Jefferson County, is hosting its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony Wednesday at 9:59 a.m. at the fire hall, located at 200 W 2nd Ave.

The event will feature a speech from retired United States Navy Captain Edward W. Gantt, and will be supported by the Washington High School Patriot Chamber Choir and the Jefferson High School Cougar Air Force Junior ROTC.

Members of the public are welcome to attend, and law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical staff and military personnel are encouraged to attend in uniform.

Cemetery Commemoration In Huntington

Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington and the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District will host their annual ceremony to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks Wednesday at 6 p.m. The cemetery grounds are located at 1427 Norway Ave.

Local officials, veterans and first responders will be in attendance, and patriotic music and light refreshments will be provided. The event is open to members of the public, and advance registration is not required.

An Annual Waterfront Service In Wheeling

On Wednesday at noon, Ohio Valley residents will gather before the Ohio River at a local park called Heritage Port. There, community members will participate in an annual service of remembrance over the 2001 attacks.

Coordinated by Joshua Lief, rabbi of Temple Shalom, the event will be attended by several local religious leaders and is open to members of the public.

Two Morning Ceremonies In Mason County

The American Legion Family of Point Pleasant, based in Mason County, is hosting its annual memorial ceremony Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Riverfront Park. Following the event, attendees are invited to a breakfast at the American Legion, located at 100 Second St.

Meanwhile, the Mason County Career Center will host its own memorial ceremony Wednesday at 9 a.m. The center is located at 281 Scenic Dr. in Point Pleasant.

Livestreaming An Observance Ceremony In Pennsylvania

West Virginia University’s Army and Air Force ROTC cadets are hosting a day-long vigil in front of the WVU Downtown Library, located at 1549 University Ave. in Morgantown.

During the event, cadets will stand before a memorial wreath and a bronze plaque that commemorate the lives lost 23 years ago. The vigil begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. and ends at the same time of day on Thursday.

On Wednesday at 8:46 a.m., the cadets will be brought together for a ceremonial bugle call of the song “Taps,” played in memory of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to strike the World Trade Center in New York.

Livestreaming An Observance Ceremony In Pennsylvania

Somerset County was the site of the United Airlines Flight 93 plane crash 23 years ago. This year, the county will once again host an annual observance ceremony honoring those who were killed on the flight at Flight 93 National Memorial, located at 6424 Lincoln Hwy in Stoystown.

Beginning at 9:45 a.m., the National Park Service will host a thirty-minute name reading of the passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93, followed by the ringing of ceremonial bells. After that, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place near the park’s Wall of Names.

The event is free, open to the public and also accessible as a livestream on YouTube. It will be held rain or shine.

Photo Credit: Curtis Tate/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

A Look Back At The Flight 93 Memorial Dedication

WVPB’s Curtis Tate went to the dedication of the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania on Sept. 10, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Flight 93’s passengers famously overpowered the hijackers and crashed the plane about 75 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush spoke, as did then-Vice President Joe Biden. Sarah McLachlan sang.

The National Park Service unveiled the Wall of Names, a tribute to the 40 passengers and crew who were killed.

Clinton, along with then-House Speaker John Boehner, launched a fundraising campaign to finish the memorial, which had come up short, unlike the memorials at Ground Zero and the Pentagon.

Their efforts succeeded, and the memorial is now complete.

Photo Credit: Curtis Tate / West Virginia Public Broadcasting