How Will You Remember the September 11 Attacks?

Today is the 11-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks that brought down the World Trade Center in New York City, damaged the Pentagon and sent a plane down in Pennsylvania.

Ceremonies are scheduled nationally and locally to remember the day, honor the victims and celebrate the actions of Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. But now that it's more than 10 years since the attacks, there is a quieter approach to the anniversary. Those in public safety, however, will never forget.

Saturday morning, firefighters participated in the Dunwoody Manhattan Memorial Climb at The Manhattan Condominiums. State Rep. Tom Kirby said this is an annual event, started last year by a career Dekalb County firefighter, to honor the fallen heroes on 9/11. Capt. Patrick Lindstrom had used the 27 flights of stairs in the apartment complex for training. He came up with the idea to use it as a fundraiser after reflecting what it must have been like for the firefighters who rushed into the World Trade Center and up 110 flights to certain death on that day. 

"The firefighters put on all their gear and some go up and down the flights four or five times to make it equal to 110," Kirby said. "It is used as a fundraiser and is now an annual event."

The Dunwoody Crier gives an in depth explanation of the event. While there is at least one event planned, it does appear that it is becoming more of a day in history that some people will always remember, but no longer one that the whole county stops to commemorate.

will be holding a ceremony with special contributions from former President George W. Bush, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and CNN honoring our American Heroes. The event is at 6:15 p.m. just prior to the Riverwatch vs. Lakeside Middle School game.

Editor's Note: I remember wrapping up my on-air shift of the day's morning Atlanta traffic on the radio (I anchored morning traffic on several radio stations at the time) and looking up at the TV screen in disbelief of what was unfolding before my very eyes. When I was able to digest what had just happened, though still in shock, I reached out to my family and friends to check in with everyone.

Later, when I got home from work I embraced my animals, but I still felt helpless and lost. I then thought of gardening – since that always brings me peace and pleasure. What else could I do at the moment?

I decided to head to a nearby nursery and search for something, anything positive, anything bright and cheery. As I tried to find that one simple plant, I remember pushing the cart around the quiet store (yes - you could hear a pin drop - it was that quiet). I was feeling numb and somber. Perhaps I was still in shock of what had happened to our country earlier in the day. I do not know.

I did manage to find and buy that little plant, bring it home, and immediately put it in the moist, rich dirt of my modest garden that day. It wasn't much, it didn't change the pain and tragedy of what had happened earlier that day, but it was all I could do to find something positive with the world on September 11, 2001.

Today I will purchase another little plant and find a sunny spot in my garden where it will thrive and grow in honor and respect of those who perished on that unforgettable day and the days thereafter, and remember the families and friends that lives on - Liz Kennedy

So how will you be remembering 9/11 today?

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