Time stands still when remembering Sept. 11, 2001

MAT-SU — Although more than a decade has passed since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers and Pentagon, time continues to stand still.

For many Alaskans, news of the attacks that ultimately claimed nearly 3,000 lives came early.

• 4:46 a.m. AST — American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the North WTC Tower.

• 5:03 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South WTC Tower.

• 5:37 a.m. — American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.

• 6:03 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 93 crashes into a field in Pennsylvania southeast of Pittsburgh after hijacking efforts were thwarted by passengers.

Congress has declared the annual observance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

“Today, as we remember the victims, their families and the heroes who stood up during one of our country’s darkest moments, I invite all Americans to reclaim that abiding spirit of compassion by serving their communities in the days and weeks ahead,” President Barack Obama says in his declaration proclaiming today as Patriot Day. “By joining together on this solemn anniversary, let us show that America’s sense of common purpose need not be a fleeting moment, but a lasting virtue — not just on one day, but every day.”

In the Valley, at least a few local organizations will mark the day.

• At Wasilla VFW Post 9365, 301 E. Lake View Ave., today has been declared a Day of Remembrance, and the public is invited to a hamburger dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is $7.

• West Lakes Fire Department Station 7-1, Mile 2.2 Pittman Road, which serves the communities of Big Lake and Meadow Lakes, firefighters will host a remembrance ceremony at 7 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner.

• At Mat-Su Central Fire Department’s headquarters, Station 61 on Lucille Street in downtown Wasilla, the day will begin like every Sept. 11 since the attacks, assistant chief Michael Keenan said.

Firefighters and staff will meet at 5 a.m. for a ceremony and to set up 343 American flags on the lawn in front of the station to symbolize the 343 firefighters killed when the towers collapsed. They’ll also observe two moments of silence to mark the times each tower fell.

“We do it every year,” Keenan said, adding that after the moments of silence, firefighters go inside and watch the documentary “9/11,” produced by a film crew that happened to be with New York City firefighters filming another story on that day.

The general public isn’t invited to the ceremonies, but is encouraged to drive by and see the display of flags, he said. For those wishing to attend an organized remembrance service, Mat-Su Central will send one of its trucks to participate in an event at 6 p.m. at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located in downtown Anchorage at Anchorage Fire Department Station 1.

If you know of other Valley remembrances of Sept. 11, please share them on the Frontiersman’s Facebook page, or send email to news@frontiersman.com.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

Visit the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman on Facebook and leave your comments in the “Where Were You” thread about where you were, what you thought and what you were doing when you learned about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.