25 years after 9/11, Massachusetts marks attacks with statewide moment of silence and "Tribute in Light"
Massachusetts marked 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a statewide moment of silence on Friday and special tributes that include illuminating Boston buildings in remembrance of the tragedy.
Gov. Maura Healey directed flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff. She also called on "residents, schools, businesses and organizations to observe a statewide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m." That's the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Reading of the names
After the moment of silence, the names of the 219 people with connections to Massachusetts who were killed in the attacks were read aloud on the front steps of the State House.
The two planes that terrorists hijacked and flew into the World Trade Center, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, both took off from Logan Airport in Boston.
One of the names read was William Christopher Hunt, who grew up in Kingston, Massachusetts. He was on the 84th floor of the South Tower on Sept. 11, 2001. He was 32 years old. Hunt's 21-year-old nephew, named William in his uncle's honor, read Hunt's name aloud Friday.
"I was proud to be out there, proud to honor my uncle. There's a lot of sadness, but it's a celebration of his life to continue his remembrance and others. It's very special," he told WBZ-TV. "Just hearing stories, how incredible Uncle Billy was, it was an incredible experience to be able to be a part of it."
Madeline Amy Sweeney Award
Every year on 9/11, the Madeline "Amy" Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery is awarded inside the State House to a Massachusetts resident.
This year's recipient was a Marine veteran who helped stop the Memorial Drive shooting in Cambridge last May. U.S. Marine veteran T.J. Swenson Jr., was recognized "for his extraordinary actions to protect others" during the shooting rampage, Healey said.
Sweeney was a flight attendant from Acton working on Flight 11. She contacted the airline's ground crew with information about the hijackers just minutes before the plane crashed into the World Trade Center.
"To have my name associated with hers - to receive an award bearing her name - is one of the greatest honors of my life," Swenson said in a statement.
Tribute in Light
The State House will be lit up red, white and blue on the evening of 9/11.
Several other Boston landmarks will be lit up in "Memorial Blue" as part of a worldwide "Tribute in Light" that represents the clear blue sky over New York City on the morning of 9/11.
Participating buildings include the JFK Presidential Library, the Prudential Tower, Fenway Park, South Station Tower, The Hub on Causeway, the Hynes Convention Center, State Street - One Congress and the old Hancock Building.
A 9/11 tribute featuring twin light beams on the summit of Mount Washington may also be visible in parts of Massachusetts, organizers say.
Boston 9/11 events
At 11 a.m., there was a rededication of the 9/11 memorial at Boston's Logan Airport. It opened seven years after the attacks.
"This memorial stands as our remembrance of that day and it also stands as a symbol to all, that if and when the call comes again, the Logan Airport community will be ready to answer with all its expertise and all its humanity," Betty Desrosiers of Massport said at the ceremony Friday. She helped coordinate the airport's response for families after the attacks.
A wreath-laying for families who lost loved ones in the attacks was held at Boston Public Garden at 1 p.m. in the 9/11 Garden of Remembrance.
The American Red Cross is hosting its annual Day of Remembrance blood drive all day at Fenway Park.
At 3:30 p.m. in Ashburton Park at the State House, the annual Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony will honor the first responders who gave their lives trying to help others in the attacks.
