2,977 flags, 500,000 meals: How the Chicago area is marking 25 years since 9/11
Firefighters, volunteers, and airport workers across the Chicago area are marking 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks on Friday with ceremonies, prayer services, and a field of flags in the west suburbs.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the 2001 attacks.
Chicago Fire Department ceremony at Navy Pier
Members of the Chicago Fire Department gathered at Navy Pier at 7:30 a.m. to remember the more than 400 emergency responders who died on Sept. 11, the vast majority of them firefighters.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will be among the local leaders attending.
Volunteers packing 500,000 meals at Union Station
Thousands of volunteers came together at Chicago's Union Station on Friday to pack more than 500,000 meals for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Chicago is one of 51 cities taking part in the nationwide effort, organized by family members and friends of 9/11 victims.
"We are leaning into our better selves," said Jacob Jenkins with the Serve Illinois Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service. "We can turn tragedy into triumph."
Governor JB Pritzker reflected on the unity Americans felt in the days and weeks after the attacks.
"We cannot change what happened 25 years ago, but we can choose what we carry forward," Pritzker said.
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth also reflected on her role on September 11th. She was in command of an Illinois National Guard Black Hawk unit at Midway.
Duckworth was emotional, remembering how many people in her unit volunteered to fly that helicopter.
"You have to understand, Chicago thought we were next. We thought one of those aircraft was going to come any time for us," She said. "Just the powerlessness and trying to figure out what can I do to stop it, to protect Chicago. That's going to be with me forever."
TSA workers gathering at Midway Airport
The Transportation Security Administration was created in the wake of the attacks, leading to tighter security at airports.
TSA workers at Midway Airport honored the victims, joined by community supporters, flight attendants and labor leaders. They'll also call for the federal government to stop efforts to privatize airport security.
St. Charles remembrance ceremony
St. Charles held a remembrance ceremony. The fire chief spoke as crews raised a special flag and laid a memorial wreath, followed by a moment of silence.
Ceremonies are also being held in New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
2,977 flags planted in Oak Brook
In the suburbs, 2,977 flags are planted at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road — one for each person killed. The flags will stay up through Sunday.
Archdiocese of Chicago honoring victims through prayer
Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago will pray for those who died in the attacks.
Masses are scheduled at St. Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes at 9 a.m., Holy Name Cathedral at noon, Our Lady of the Holy Family at 6 p.m., and St. Teresa at 7 p.m.
At St. Cletus, there will be a moment of remembrance before the parish's fall fest begins.
Palatine mayor issues proclamation
Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz issued a proclamation recognizing the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
Schwantz is calling on residents to "remember the victims, honor the heroes, support the families who continue to carry the loss, and reaffirm our shared commitment to a community founded upon peace, unity, compassion, and respect."
