Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As the world marks 20 years since the 9/11 attack on America, Western New York will remember with a number of events scheduled for Saturday.
The Buffalo Naval and Military Park will be one of 60 sites across the country participating in a ceremony where community members will read the names and short biographies of those who died September 11, 2001.
"We will raise the 9/11 Flag of Honor, which is a flag that was from the World Trade Center that now etched with names of those who perished that day," says Shane Stephenson of the Naval Park. "The bell will ring at the moments of the plane crashes and the building collapses."
The ceremony begins at 8am.
In addition to the 50 assigned names, Erie County volunteers will be reading 29 names of people with a connection to Western New York, as well as the names of local first responders who died due to their service at Ground Zero.
The ceremony will be followed by a day of service, with a food drive for FeedMore of WNY and a blood drive for the American Red Cross. Nonperishable food items can be brought to the Naval Park gift shop.
Families can also visit the Honk for Heroes event. "There will be emergency and military vehicles, and it's a way to engage the community with those who give back," says Stephenson.
A 9/11 remembrance will also take place at the Scajaquada Expressway pedestrian bridge from 8:30am-10:15am. Buffalo Fire, Buffalo Police and AMR emergency personnel are slated to represent first responders.
North Tonawanda will welcome the 9/11 Memorial Healing Field back to Gratwick-Riverside Park. The Healing Field consists of thousands of 3x5 American Flags to recognize the victims of the September 11th Attacks.
"I am proud to have this beautiful memorial back in our city to recognize the tragic attacks that happened 20 years ago. It truly is an honor to host such an event that had an immense significance on our community and country," said Mayor Art Pappas.
The Healing Field was first brought to the city to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the September 11th Attacks by the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club.
Names will be read starting at 8am, with a remembrance ceremony at noon.
Lackawanna will hold an outdoor wreath laying ceremony at Firehouse 3 on South Park Avenue from 8:30am to 9:30am.
Amherst will hold its 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance at 9:30am at Amherst Memorial Hill Grove. The grove is a living memorial to 9/11 victims, consisting of an American flag, a monument and 120 trees surrounding a memorial bench.
