Connecticut marks 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks: When and where local victims are being remembered around the state

Connecticut cities and towns will join others across the country honoring and memorializing those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the day that shook the nation and took the lives of so many loved ones. Onlookers from the streets and via television watched in disbelief 25 years ago as the planes crashed and the buildings collapsed. Once the dust settled, many were stricken with grief as they were notified their family members, friends and colleagues did not survive.

And still 25 years later they are living with the pain, the memories and the inspiration to keep their names alive. Individuals such as Robert Higley, who left behind his wife, Vycki, and daughters, Amanda and Robyn, are remembered daily by those close to them, but also are remembered yearly at events such as Connecticut's annual memorial ceremony at Sherwood Island State Park, Wallingford's remembrance, New Milford's ceremony and many others.

Ceremonies taking place this year across the state include:

Bridgeport: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the Bridgeport Fire Headquarters, 30 Congress St.

Brookfield: A memorial service will be held Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at Brookfield Town Hall, 100 Pocono Road.

Danbury: A memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Elmwood Park, Main Street.

Easton: A memorial service will be held Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial Site in front of Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Road.

Fairfield: A memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the Fairfield Fire Department headquarters, 140 Reef Road.

New Canaan: The town's annual September 11th Service of Remembrance will be held Sept. 11 at 9:55 a.m. on the front lawn at Town Hall, 77 Main St. Attendees can arrive beginning at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will include Police Chief John DiFederico, First Selectwoman Dionna Carlson, members of the police, fire and emergency medical services, a bagpiper, and representatives from St. Aloysius Church. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. All are welcome.

New Fairfield: A ceremony of remembrance will be held Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. at the September 11 Memorial behind the New Fairfield Senior Center, 33 Route 37.

Norwalk: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Mary Roman Track/Eric Malmquist Field at Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave. All are welcome.

Ridgefield: A memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at 195 Danbury Road. The ceremony will include the Ridgefield Police Department Honor Guard, Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department Color Guard, First Selectperson Rudy Marconi, the Ridgefield Nightingales, Police Chief Jeff Kreitz, Fire Chief Rommie Duckworth, local clergy,  Ms. President US Ridgefield Namya Chouhan, Ridgefield Poet Laureate Ira Joe Fisher, piper Ian Underwood, and Daniela Sikora and the Ridgefield Chorale.

Stamford: The Stamford Fire Department will host a remembrance ceremony Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Woodside Fire Station, 1620 Washington Blvd. The southbound lanes of Washington Boulevard will be closed for on-street parking at 6:30 p.m. 

Trumbull: The Nichols, Long Hill and Trumbull Center Fire Departments will hold a remembrance ceremony Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. at Nichols Station 1, 100 Shelton Road. Uniformed personnel and guests are asked to assemble at 9 a.m. The ceremony will mark the times of the South Tower and North Tower and the lowering of flags. The ceremony will end at 10:30 a.m. with refreshments available at the training building behind the firehouse.

Weston: A flag-lowering ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Weston Town Green, 56 Norfield Road.

Westport: Connecticut's annual 9/11 Memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Sherwood Island State Park. The town also will participate in its Four Days of Service and Remembrance, beginning Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., where a proclamation will be read. 

East Hartford: Memorial service will be held Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Goodwin University's Fallen Star Memorial, 1 Riverside Drive. The program is open to the public.

South Windsor: Memorial service will be held Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at South Windsor Fire Department, 1175 Ellington Road. All are welcome.

Wethersfield: A candlelight vigil commemoration will be held Sept. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Broad Street Green, 100 Broad St. The program will feature presentations by dignitaries, community singers, town officials and the winner of the Sept. 11 writing contest. Free. There is no rain date.

Windsor: A Walk of Light community remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Windsor Town Green. The program will feature fire, police and EMS personnel, members of the clergy and 2,977 decorated paper luminary bags for each person who died in the attacks. The illuminated display will remain on view until 9 p.m.

New Milford: Memorial ceremony will gather Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at the Memorial at Patriots Way. The ceremony will begin at 8:46 a.m.

Watertown: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Watertown Fire Department, 935 Main St.

Winchester: The Winsted Soldiers Memorial Commission will host a monument dedication ceremony and 9/11 memorial concert on Sept. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Soldiers Monument Park, 84 Crown St. The monument will be open and the Farmington Valley Band will perform.

Woodbury: BSA Troop 480 and Cub Scout Pack 480 will place 250 flags on the North Green in Woodbury on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. at Hollow Park, 43 Hollow Road.

Cromwell: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at Riverport Park at Frisbee Landing, 1 River Road. The program will include the Cromwell Police Department Color Guard, remarks by Mayor James Demetriades and local dignitaries and a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.

Durham: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. on the Durham Green. The program will be held rain or shine. All are welcome.

Middlefield: The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Co. will host a remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the community center, 405 Main St.

Middletown: The South Fire District will hold a memorial service on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial Garden, 445 Randolph Road. Light refreshments will be served following the service. All are welcome.

Portland: The First Congregational Church of Portland, 554 Main St., will hold a remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. The program will include music, readings, speakers and prayer. All are welcome.

Beacon Falls: A ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Beacon Hose Company No. 1, 35 North Main St.

Bethany: The Bethany Volunteer Fire Department will host its chicken barbecue, concert and 9/11 remembrance on Sept. 11 at 765 Amity Road. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., remembrance and concert will begin at 7 p.m., with fireworks to follow at 8:45 p.m. The cost for the meal is $25 for adults and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Admission for the concert only is $10 per car.

Cheshire: HAI Group will hold its annual "We Did Not Forget" remembrance event on Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at 189 Commerce Court. HAI Group employees and leadership, local police and fire personnel, community leaders, 9/11 first responders, invited guests and others are scheduled to participate. Lunch and speeches by 9/11 first responders will begin at 11 a.m.

Madison: The town's "Day of Caring" ceremony will be held Sept. 11 from 5 to 6 p.m. on the Madison Green, 8 Meeting House Lane. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be canceled.

Middlebury: A service of remembrance will be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, 65 Tucker Hill Road.

Milford: A ceremony of song and prayer will be held Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the World Trade Center Memorial Garden at Live Oaks Elementary School, 575 Merwin Ave. The ceremony will include the ringing of the bells by Milford Fire Chief Christopher Waiksnoris at 8:46 a.m.

North Haven: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at noon on the North Haven Green. There will be a special tribute to Edward Vanacore, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center.

Wallingford: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Wallingford Town Hall, 45 S. Main St.

Waterbury: Sept. 11 at Waterbury City Hall, 235 Grand St. The service will include prayers and reflections led by local clergy and participation from members of the Waterbury Police Department, Waterbury Fire Department, emergency medical services, city officials and community members.

West Haven: The town's annual ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Bradley Point Park, Captain Thomas Boulevard.

Woodbridge: The Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department will hold a memorial service on Sept. 11 at 8:45 a.m. at the firehouse, 100 Center Road.

Colchester: A memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. on the Colchester Town Green, intersection of Norwich Avenue and Main Street.

East Lyme: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. on the Liberty Green at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Groton: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at noon at the Groton City Municipal Building, 295 Meridian St. Presented by the City of Groton and Elks Lodge No. 2163.

Lebanon: The Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department will hold its memorial lap for remembrance on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. on the Lebanon Green. A short ceremony will be followed by a run/walk/bike around the Green. All are welcome.

Ledyard: A memorial service will be held Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. on the Ledyard Town Green, 740 Colonel Ledyard Highway.

Old Lyme: Saint Ann's Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, will host "Hope: A Prayer for Peace" on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. The program will include song, prayer, poetry and prose.

Waterford: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 174 Boston Post Road. The program will include remarks from local leaders, the Waterford High School Chorus and the Waterford Police Department Honor Guard.

Mansfield: The University of Connecticut will hold several events on Sept. 11, including a university-wide remembrance ceremony at noon in the Student Union theater. Storrs Congregational Church, 2 North Eagleville Road, will ring its carillon bells at 8:46 a.m, followed by the playing of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and the tolling of the bells 25 times.

Vernon: A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Fox Hill Memorial Tower in Henry Park, 120 South St. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the park pavilion.

Canterbury: A memorial ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Canterbury Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive. The program will be held rain or shine.

Windham: Eastern Connecticut State University will hold a faculty roundtable, "25 Years After 9/11: How Much Has the World Changed," on Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union theater, 83 Windham St. A remembrance ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Fine Arts Instructional Center's amphitheater. The clock tower bell will toll at 8:46, 9:03, 9:37 and 10:03 a.m. A reading of names will be held after the remembrance ceremony.

Sign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day from our network of journalists around the state.

This article originally published at Connecticut marks 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks: When and where local victims are being remembered around the state.