Boston Ceremonies Mark 14 Years Since 9/11 Attacks
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – Several events throughout Boston marked the somber 14th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in the Boston Public Garden was followed Friday by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the moment the first of two planes hijacked from Logan International Airport struck the World Trade Center in New York.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker were in attendance at the event.
A short time later, a ceremony began inside the Massachusetts State House to recognize the lives lost in the attacks.
The names of the more than 200 people with Massachusetts connections who died on Sept. 11 were read during an observance moved inside the Statehouse because of rain.
A civilian bravery award named for Madeline Amy Sweeney, a flight attendant aboard American Airlines Flight 11, was also presented on Friday.
Sweeney was credited with providing authorities with some of the first information about the terrorists.
This year's award in her honor was given to Albeiro Gomez of Worcester. Officials said Gomez unwittingly picked up the kidnapping suspect and his two captives, a woman and her 11-month-old baby.
When police later surrounded the vehicle, Gomez lunged over the seat and took the suspect's gun, helping police capture the man.
Another September 11 event taking place throughout the day was a blood drive run by the American Red Cross at Fenway Park.
The Day of Remembrance Blood Drive takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Events were also scheduled throughout New Hampshire to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Gov. Maggie Hassan has directed flags to half-staff on Friday and proclaimed a Day of Remembrance in honor of the victims, first responders and service members who died in the attacks and the wars that followed.
Ten people from New Hampshire died when terrorists flew hijacked airplanes into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All told, nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks.
Hassan will participate in ceremonies in Manchester and Hampton. Events are also scheduled in Portsmouth, Hudson, Londonderry, Rindge and Boscawen.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
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