9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony In Enfield [PHOTOS]

ENFIELD, CT — As a remembrance ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America was about to begin, a member of the sound crew grabbed a microphone and implored, "Look up in the sky." An eagle was circling over the Enfield Fire District 1 Station 2, near a large American flag hanging from the top of a ladder truck.

The presence of two iconic symbols of America overhead was a fitting beginning to a solemn ceremony marking Sept. 11, 2001, the day nearly 3,000 people were killed in the crash of four hijacked aircraft in New York City, Washington, D.C. and rural Pennsylvania. Among those who perished were 343 firefighters attempting to rescue people in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan.

The morning began with a short parade down Weymouth Road, consisting mainly of personnel from the five fire districts of Enfield and some surrounding communities. Also taking part were dozens of students from the Riley's School of Dance, bearing a large American flag over their heads.

In the 9/11 Memorial Garden, which include a pair of 18-foot beams salvaged from the north face of the north tower of the Trade Center, Elizabeth Santino sang the national anthem, and an invocation was led by Pastor Gary Santino. Following brief remarks by Deputy Chief Bill Higgins, Chief Ed Richards and Enfield Fire Commission President Pat Droney, a ceremonial wreath was placed by members of the Riley’s contingent.

Higgins said on the day following the attacks, members of Riley's marched from their studio on Raffia Road to the fire station to lay a ceremonial wreath. The business has remained involved with the remembrance ceremony since day one, and owner K.T. DaSilva was presented a plaque thanking her and the studio for their two decades of support.

A 9/11 firefighter tribute song, "When Heroes Climbed the Sky," was performed by Dave O’Hagan and members of his band, Shovelhead.

All photos in this gallery were taken by Tim Jensen.

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