U.S. and Canada mark 25 years since 9/11 terror attacks

The United States and Canada are holding memorials and ceremonies on Friday to mark 25 years since the 9/11 terror attacks, remembering the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including 24 Canadians.

Twenty five years ago, hijackers took control of four commercial airplanes, crashing them into the World Trade Centre in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania.

In New York City, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum held its annual commemoration ceremony at 8:30 a.m.

The museum said that seven moments of silence were observed throughout the ceremony. This is to mark the times when each of the towers was struck and fell and the times of the attack on the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

It also said this is to honour those who lost their lives to 9/11-related illness and injury in the years since.

In Virginia, the national 9/11 Pentagon memorial was closed to the public from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday for the Pentagon’s 25th anniversary 9/11 observance ceremony, with the exception of any victim’s families, survivors or survivor’s families.

In Pennsylvania, ceremonies are also planned at the Flight 93 National Memorial, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after being hijacked.

There was a morning observance from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. that included a reading of the names of the passengers and crew members and the ringing of the bells of remembrance.

Meanwhile, an afternoon public ceremony will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and feature remarks, keynote speakers, music as well as a public wreath-laying ceremony.

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The Pentagon held a ceremony at 9 a.m., which included a reading of victims’ names and remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ceremonies and events also took place locally in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual commemoration event alongside its American counterpart from Lewiston, New York.

“The residents and the town have a strong relationship with our American friends. Many are relatives, myself I have family living in the U.S. as well. We cross the border quite often, even today and obviously it’s in view. It’s very close to us and spending a lot of time myself on the water here with boating, a lot of help from Americans as well if you need it. It’s always been a strong relationship and this ceremony is just a small way to recognize that,” said Gary Zalepa, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s lord mayor.

This event has been taking place since 2002 but it is the first year Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce is joining as a co-host. This ceremony took place at 8 a.m., with the moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.

“I think everybody remembers that day. Today isn’t just about remembering that day but remembering about the first responders and the people that lost their lives and hoping we can teach our children and the children that weren’t even born at that time the compassion and the unity that came afterwards,” said Terry Dow, executive director of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce.

“Headlines will come and go, politicians will come and go but we remain neighbours and we were neighbours then and we’re neighbours now. And I think it’s so important to show that we still have that strong support and community with each other,” said Amanda Haseley, president of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

A 9/11 commemorative also took place at 8:15 a.m. at the northeast plaza of Table Rock Centre in Niagara Falls.

The Town of Oakville is honouring 9/11 with their memorial stair climb event.

On Thursday, the City of St. Catharines planted nine new trees on 9/11 Memorial Trail and park.

Elsewhere in Canada, a large solemn gathering will take place in Gander, Newfoundland where 38 planes carrying over 65,000 passengers were grounded.

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