Portsmouth to Host Sept. 11 Memorial Service Sunday

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Fifteen years after the terror attacks on America, citizens of the greater Portsmouth area will have the opportunity to pause and remember the world-changing events of Sept. 11, 2001. This Sunday, police, fire, and residents will take time out of their weekend to assemble and commemorate the terrorist attacks in New York City, and Washington, D.C., and the bravery of the passengers that went down with the plane in Shanksville, PA, according to a press statement. We honor the heroism of fire, police and ordinary citizens as they responded to the catastrophe and the loss of 3,000 people.

A memorial service is planned outside police headquarters/Portsmouth City Hall for the morning of Sept. 11 to honor the memory of the fallen heroes and victims. The service will start at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City.

Businesses, residents, and visitors are invited to join police and fire personnel for the brief memorial service. You are encouraged to bring a flower or bouquet of any type to lay at the foot of the 9/11 Steel Artifact as a visible reminder of your attendance to honor their memory.

The commemoration ceremonies will honor the two thousand five hundred and seven civilians, seventy two law enforcement officers, three hundred forty three firefighters, 10 emergency medical workers, and fifty five military service personnel who lost their lives, or gave their lives saving others. The city of Portsmouth was directly impacted by the 9/11 attacks by the loss of American Airlines’ co-pilot Tom McGuinness, a Portsmouth resident, who was flying American Airlines flight #11, the first plane flown into the tower.

Everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes, and acknowledge the loss to the country and the victim’s families ... and remember.

Submitted by Karen Senecal.

Image via Shutterstock.