Raleigh will join the nation on Thursday to mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, including about 400 first responders.
Local first responders are sharing a video message for the occasion. Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin, and Wake County Emergency Medical Services Director Jon Studnek appear in the video to remember the events and thank all first responders for their work. “Watch Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin, and Wake County Emergency Medical Services Director Jon Studnek remember the events. They also thank all first responders for their important work.”
The city encourages residents to participate in commemorative activities. Each year, more than 30 million Americans volunteer or help others on this day. More information is available at https://911day.org/, which provides details about ways to support the National Day of Service.
A moment of silence will be observed at specific times that correspond with key moments from September 11:
– At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower.
– At 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175 hit floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower.
– At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.
– At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed.
– At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to retake control from hijackers.
– At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.
These times are marked each year during official ceremonies at New York’s World Trade Center site for victims’ families.
Residents interested in volunteering locally can find opportunities through Activate Good, a nonprofit based in Raleigh that organizes an annual local Day of Service related to September 11.
First responder agencies in Raleigh will hold observances as well. The Raleigh Fire Department will join other Wake County fire departments for ceremonies honoring both civilian and uniformed victims. Personnel will gather between 8:40 and 8:45 a.m.; warning lights on fire units will be activated before an alert tone sounds at exactly 8:46 a.m., followed by one minute of silence.
The Raleigh Police Department plans to observe its own moment of silence outside district stations at that same time.
