In years past, the City of Gainesville has joined other communities around the nation with a special tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, but the coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to crowded gatherings, so there will be no ceremony this year.
Instead, city officials are asking residents to pause wherever they may be at 10 a.m. Friday to remember the almost 3,000 victims who died that day in terror attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and western Pennsylvania.
"On Friday, September 11, 2020, we pause to remember the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and the lives lost on that fateful day," said a statement released by Gainesville city officials. "As we pause to reflect on the 19th anniversary of that day, we encourage everyone to remember the unity that came upon our nation in those following days."
Because a large number of the 9-11 victims were from the public safety community, public safety personnel in Gainesville and Hall County will hear a special memorial service over their radios prior to the moment of silence.
The ceremony for public safety personnel will begin at 8:40 a.m. and a special tone alert will sound at six different times to commemorate pivotal points in the 9-11 attack.
The tones will sound at the following times:
8:46 a.m. - The time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
9:03 a.m. - The time United Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
9:37 a.m. - The time American Airlines Flight 177 struck the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
9:59 a.m. - The time the South Tower collapsed
10:07 a.m. - The time United Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
10:28 a.m. - The time the North Tower collapsed
