9/11 Remembered

A silent moment of the prayer before the raising of the American flag at Riverside Rotary Park. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
A moment of prayer before the raising of the American flag to half mast at Riverside Rotary Park. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau residents get to know first responders and service members during a short break in the obseverance. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau residents get to know first responders and service members during a short break in the observance. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

Juneau residents paused for a few minutes on Friday morning to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. The 9/11 observance was held at Riverside Rotary Park in the Mendenhall Valley.

In remarks during the observance, George Riefenstein, retired special teams captain for Capital City Fire/Rescue, said they wanted to remember the 2,973 people who died on September 11. He also said they wanted to honor 1,400 additional people — rescue workers who have since died because of health issues related toxin exposure at the World Trade Center site.

“The healing goes on, as does as the commitment to serve with integrity and compassion that honors the memory of the fallen,” Reifenstein said. “We will never forget their sacrifice.”

“We all saw through the horror of that day what it means to be human. That, our connection to one another is as close as the manifestation of kindness and selflessness within the human spirit. By celebrating those unique qualities, we triumph over intimidation and we are guided forward with the knowledge that we will prevail.”

Listen to the entire 15 minute ceremony:

Abigail Zahasky sings the National Anthem (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Abigail Zahasky sings The Star-Spangled Banner. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Scott Marnon of the City of Juneau Pipe Band (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Scott Marnon of the City of Juneau Pipe Band (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
(Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Click to enlarge photo of program (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau residents remember first responders whose names have been engraved in bricks at Riverside Rotary Park. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau residents remember first responders whose names have been engraved in bricks at Riverside Rotary Park. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau Police and Capital City Fire/Rescue were among those attending the 9/11 observance. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Juneau Police and Capital City Fire/Rescue were among those attending the 9/11 observance. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

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