By Terri Jo Neff |
Arizonans will mark the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a variety of ways Sunday, including by having all state flags lowered to half-staff.
Gov. Doug Ducey issued the order in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives after four hijacked planes were crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and a field in rural Pennsylvania.
“We will always remember September 11, 2001,” Ducey said in a video statement released Friday. “We will remember the lives lost. And we will continue to be inspired by brave and patriotic men and women who answered the call of duty.”
The governor added that time “has helped us heal, but we will never forget” and that reflecting on the events from 21 years ago is “a sobering reminder that our democracy and our way of life must be protected and fought for.”
Earlier this year, the governor signed legislation which requires that Arizona school kids learn about the events of September 11, 2001.
Several Sept. 11 remembrance events will be held Sunday morning across Arizona, including the 9/11 Tower Challenge in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. The challenge involves participants climbing 2071 steps in the arena, signifying the 110 floors of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
And on Sunday night there will be a memorial hosted by the Town of Gilbert’s police officers and fire rescue personnel from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the town’s Sept. 11 Memorial Plaza at 50 E. Civic Center Drive.
