To mark the 23d anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Veterans’ Services invited the community to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, September 11, in Davis Square.

The observance honored all victims of 9/11 as well as first responders, workers, and volunteers who rushed to the scene to save lives or to later help carry out the dangerous cleanup. It included a moment of silence and featured an invocation and benediction by Father Paul Coughlin as well as remarks by Mayor Ballantyne and Veterans Director Jerome Thomas. 

A bagpipe tribute including Amazing Grace followed, and attendees were given individual roses to place on the 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony was framed by the presentation of and retiring of the colors (national, state, and unit flags) by the Honor Guards of the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire Department.