SEATTLE — Saturday marks 20 years since Sept. 11, 2001, the day the U.S. and, arguably, the rest of the world changed forever.
With the nation preparing to mark two decades since the attack on the World Trade Center and the thousands of lives lost, Seattle and the Puget Sound region planned to hold various events to remember those who died and honor those who bravely answered calls for help and became heroes.
Below is a list of ceremonies and activities around western Washington Saturday, some open to the public, aimed at honoring the memory of those who were lost, their loved ones and all the other lives changed by the events of 9/11.
Seattle
The Seattle Fire and Seattle Police departments commemorated 20 years since 9/11 on Saturday with various morning events. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the events were closed to the public.
At 8:30 a.m., a flag-raising ceremony took place at the Space Needle with Police Chief Adrian Diaz and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. This was followed by a flag-raising at all fire stations throughout the city. Firefighters at all 33 stations read aloud the 343 names of the New York firefighters who died on 9/11.
At 11 a.m., Diaz and Scoggins were joined by Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams to hold a small ceremony with the department chaplains, the Red Hot and Blues Singers and members of the Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums.
South King County
South King Fire and Rescue held a memorial event at Fire Station 64, located between Auburn and Federal Way at 3700 S 320th Street, at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The event included two guest speakers: veteran and Medic One supervisor Rick Arnone and Medic One Senior Paramedic and veteran J.R. Klein.
Kenmore
Northshore Fire Department held a remembrance event to honor those lost on 9/11.
The event took place on Saturday in the lobby of Fire Station 51, located at 7220 NE 181st Street in Kenmore.
At 8:45 a.m., a flag ceremony took place. Then from 9 a.m. to noon, there was a memorial viewing.
Everett
In an effort to honor those who died in the 9/11 attack, Run 2 Be Fit held a “9.11 miles on 9/11” event in Everett.
This is an online event, but runners and walkers were invited to join others from around the country in remembrance.
Participants could register for free and begin their runs or walks at 9:11 a.m. or 9:11 p.m.
Lacey
The city of Lacey invited the community to its 9/11 memorial event outside The Hub, located at 676 Woodland Square Loop SE.
“The event will honor and remember the victims and first responders who courageously helped others during the tragic attacks at the World Trade Center, New York, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, twenty years ago,” the city said in a release.
Speakers included individuals from Lacey City Council, Lacey Fire District 3 and the Lacey Police Department.
A flag-folding ceremony also took place by the Washington Air National Guard and country artist Nick Nicholson will perform.
Gig Harbor
The Gig Harbor Fire Department honored the lives lost in the 9/11 attack with a public ceremony.
The ceremony took place in the 9/11 Memorial Garden at Station 50, located at 10222 Bujacich Road NW.
West Pierce County
West Pierce County Fire and Rescue held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Saturday at the 9/11 Reflection Park outside Station 31, located at 3631 Drexler Drive W.
The ceremony began at 9 a.m.
The 9/11 Reflection Park displays a piece of the World Trade Center that was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.
West Pierce County Fire and Rescue says the park is also full of symbolism to represent the lives lost 20 years ago.
Bremerton
Residents west of Puget Sound attended the Kitsap 9/11 Memorial event in Bremerton.
The event took place at the Kitsap 9/11 Memorial, which is in the southeast corner of Evergreen Rotary Park at 1300 Highland Avenue, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Attendees heard from speakers like Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler and hear “America the Beautiful” performed by Acapella Soundstations and West Sound Chorus.
The event was scheduled to conclude at 7 p.m.
Lakewood
The city of Lakewood held a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony outside city hall Friday, Sept. 10, at 12:30 p.m.
The event featured Harrison Preparatory School student Brianna Norris, sang the National Anthem, and members of West Pierce Fire and Rescue and the Lakewood Police Department.
Officers and firefighters will present colors and perform a bell-ringing ceremony.
DuPont
The city of DuPont hosted a memorial ceremony for 9/11 on Saturday at the city hall flag pole, located at 1700 Civic Drive.
Mayor Ron Federick said in a release, "Twenty years ago, life fundamentally changed from what we once knew. 2,977 lives were lost and over 6,000 individuals were injured that day. Their loss is irreplaceable and deeply felt by us all."
Frederick was joined at the ceremony by Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Color Guard and DuPont Public Safety.
Will Stakelin, a member of the Geroge Rogers Clark chapter of the SAR, provided brief remarks about 9/11.