september 11th

PHOTOS: Poignant images from 9/11 ceremonies past

Monday, September 5, 2022

James Taormina, whose brother Dennis Taormina was killed during the Sept. 11 attacks stands by the side of the north waterfall pool on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Flowers lay over the names of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks before a ceremony at ground zero in New York, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

A woman wipes away tears as she holds up a picture during a ceremony at ground zero in New York, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

New York City firefighters with Ladder 10 Engine 10 firehouse salute during a moment of silence, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at the World Trade Center in New York.

A man stands at the edge of a waterfall pool at ground zero during a ceremony on the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York. Since September 11, 2001.

People hold up signs with the names and pictures of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks during a ceremony at ground zero in New York, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Retired New York City firefighter Joseph McCormick visits the South Pool prior to a ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.

Army Sgt. Edwin Morales prays during a ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.

A visitor pauses at the Wall of Names at sunrise before a Service of Remembrance at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.

A flag is placed along the South Pool prior to a ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015.

Visitors touch the names of the victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks at the South Pool of the National September 11 Memorial on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 in New York.

Delia Colon, of Hamilton Square, bows her head as she prays at Ground Zero near the end of an all-night vigil on the fifth anniversary in 2006.

Two mourners hold silent vigil at Ground Zero on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 in New York.

A man embraces a young boy during a ceremony Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at the World Trade Center in New York marking the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush lay a memorial wreath in a pool of water at ground zero Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, marking the 5th anniversary.

People weep as they kneel next to a reflecting pool at the site of the World Trade Center in New York, Monday, Sept. 11, 2006.

Patricia Smith, daughter of police officer Moira Smith, holds the hand of father James Smith on stage during the fifth anniversary in 2006.

A man searches for the name of a loved one on a American flag printed with the names of victims Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 in New York during a ceremony marking the sixth anniversary.

People hold up pictures of loved ones during a rainy ceremony marking the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 in New York.

Robin Ferreira and James Sorokac, with the FDNY, join other mourners during a commemoration ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 on the sixth anniversary.

A crowd gathers near the ground zero site in New York to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007.

Ina Castro and son Jonathan Rivera cry during a ceremony on the seventh anniversary in 2008. Jose Castro, Ms. Castro's brother, was a waiter at Windows on the World.

An American flag flies from a crane over the World Trade Center site during the seventh annual ceremony in 2008.

A woman is comforted as friends and relatives of the victims gather for the commemoration ceremony on the eighth anniversary in 2009.

The World Trade Center flag is folded after being presented at the commemoration ceremony on the eighth anniversary in 2009.

A photo of firefighter Scott Larsen floats amid roses in the reflecting pool during the the eighth anniversary commemoration ceremony in 2009.

Anna Sereno, of the Brooklyn, holds a photo of her son Arturo Angelo Sereno on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010.

Alyson Low, of Fayetteville, Ark., holds a photo of her sister Sara Low on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010.

Luke Pavlenishzili, 2, riding on the shoulders of his father George Pavlenishzili, offers a rose to firefighter Joe Huber in 2010.

A firefighter salutes as taps is played, before a moment of silence on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in 2010.

NYPD, FDNY and PAPD line up at one of the entrances to 9/11 Memorial Plaza at the World Trade Center site before the 10th anniversary ceremony in 2011.

President Barack Obama runs his hand along the names on the Sept. 11 memorial as former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama look in 2011.

A woman cries over a name on the edge of the south pool during the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center 2011.

A woman cries over a name on the edge of the north pool during the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center 2011.

James Taylor performs during a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2011.

Madhu Narula, of Kings Park, reacts after hearing the name of her daughter, Manika Narula, pictured on shirt below, during the ceremony in 2011.

Family members gather at the edge of the north reflecting pool of the Sept. 11 memorial during 10th anniversary ceremonies at the site in 2011.

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush observe a moment of silence in 2011.

Police and firefighters march in formation as they carry a folded flag past one of the memorial pools in 2011.

Paul Simon performs during a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2011.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo rides with firefighters and first responders with the FDNY Motorcycle Club Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013.

Carrie Bergonia of Pennsylvania looks over the name of her fiancé, firefighter Joseph Ogren, at the 9/11 Memorial during ceremonies in 2013.

Judy Parisio places a small U.S. flag on the engraved name of her niece, Frances Ann Cilente, who worked and died at the World Trade Center, in 2012

Port Authority police officers carry an American flag that flew over at the World Trade Center towers, in 2012.

A woman becomes emotional after reading the name of her father at the ceremony marking the 11th anniversary in 2012.

Scott Willens, who joined the United States Army three days after 9/11, pauses by the South Pool in 2012,

A woman wipes her eyes after reading the name of her brother, Bobby Hughes, at the National September 11 Memorial in 2013.

Daniel Henry, a Port Authority police officer, pauses during a moment of silence at 9:01 a.m. at the south reflecting pool in 2013.

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PHOTOS: Poignant images from 9/11 ceremonies past James Taormina, whose brother Dennis Taormina was killed during the Sept. 11 attacks stands by the side of the north waterfall pool on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Each year, New York City and millions around the country commemorate 9/11 with mournful ceremonies, volunteering, appeals to "never forget," and drawing attention to the terror attacks' continued toll on first responders.

Relatives of the victims descend on ground zero in Lower Manhattan, and the events of that terrible day and the weeks, months and years that followed are never forgotten, nor are the memories of those killed by terrorists in hijacked planes.

Additionally, we remember all those who have died from 9/11-related illnesses from their heroic work at ground zero and those who suffer today.

WABC-TV looks back on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 to hear from the Eyewitness News journalists who covered the attack as it unfolded.

September 11 still shapes American policy, politics and everyday experiences in places from airports to office buildings, even if it's less of a constant presence in the public consciousness after more than two decades.

The 9/11 commemorations are by now familiar rituals, but each year at ground zero, victims' relatives infuse the ceremony with personal messages of remembrance, inspiration and concern.

In the photo gallery above, take a look back at some of the more heartbreaking and emotional moments of the ground zero ceremonies marking the anniversaries of the September 11 terror attacks.

CLICK HERE for more Eyewitness News reflections, photos and stories marking the anniversary of 9/11

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