LAS CRUCES - For this generation, it's become our "Day of Infamy," and ceremonies to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks are planned in Las Cruces.
This will be the 10th anniversary of the day terrorists crashed commercial airplanes into the World Trade Center towers, in New York City, on that fateful September morning. In other attacks, a portion of the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., was also destroyed, and another commercial plane was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, preventing it from getting to its intended target: The White House.
"Wow, it's a little surprising that it's already been 10 years since all of that happened," said Las Cruces homemaker Annie Provencio. "It all seems like it happened just yesterday. The memories of that day are still so vivid, so strong."
Patriot Day was established by Congress in 2001, and occurs every Sept. 11, in memory of the 2,977 people killed in the attacks.
On this day, the president directs that American flags be flown at half-staff. Americans are also asked to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m., EDT, the time the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
"It didn't matter who you were or where you lived, everybody was affected one way or another that day," said Richard Cortez, 84, a lifelong Las Cruces resident. "Even here, I remember things got kind of crazy."
Patriot Day ceremony
Public safety organizations throughout Las Cruces and Do-a Ana County will gather with regional civic leaders to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks at 4 p.m. Sept. 11 in front of City Hall, 700 N. Main St. New Mexico State University's Aggie Pride Band and a youth choir will perform, and a 20-foot by 38-foot garrison-sized American flag donated by Ed Martinez, of Zia Engineering, will be unveiled.
Representatives of numerous public safety organizations will also participate in the event, along with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other interested youths.
In the one-of-a-kind commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, blocks painted with 10 flowers each have been attached to two towers representing the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. Original works of poetry were also penned for the towers.
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