SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Almost 100 people showed up for the South Lake Tahoe 9/11 ceremony at the American Legion Post 795 on Sunday, a ceremony honoring the victims and first responders of the tragedy 21 years ago.
Representatives from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department, and CAL FIRE were all at the American Legion. The ceremony was hosted by members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion.
On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism. Those that died on 9/11 were citizens of 78 countries.
– 8:46 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 11 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
– 9:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 175 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
– 9:37 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 77 (traveling from Dulles, Virginia, to Los Angeles) hit the Pentagon Building in Washington.
– 10:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 93 (traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco) crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
“The world changed that day,” said South Lake Tahoe City Manager Joe Irvin during the American Legion ceremony. “We are strong and will never forget.”
After the ceremony, the Women’s Auxiliary held a coffee and cake reception.