TALLAHASSEE, FL. (WTXL) - Several events took place Thursday in Tallahassee, marking the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At the City of Tallahassee Fire Department, local residents joined state lawmakers and first responders remembering the tragic events that unfolded. A piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center was on hand at the ceremony. Tallahassee Fire Chief Jerome Gaines says firefighters from around the country have a bond with each other, no matter how far away they are from any given tragedy.
"As time goes on, for most people it will be just a footnote in history. But, for the fire service and for people who lost loved ones that day, it will always be there. So, we will never forget. We can't."
Meanwhile, on campus at Florida State University, a group called Students for America's Military placed small American flags in the ground near the campus library, to form "9/11". This year's college freshmen were only five years old in 2001, and student Regina Loureiro says, it's important young Floridians remember the significance of the day.
"People now that are going to be in college won't have a recollection of what actually happened. It's becoming one of those things that people have started to just kind of put off, but we think that you should remember it because so many people did pass away on that day."
A total of 2,977 flags were placed in the ground, one for each person killed during the terrorist attack. Students passing by were also encouraged to write letters to send to troops currently serving overseas.
