Hundreds Gather To Remember 9/11 Victims At Garden Of Reflection In Bucks County
LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Sept. 11 is a day Americans will never forget. From Ground Zero to the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania to the Delaware Valley, many paid tributes to the victims and heroes of 9/11.
Hundreds gathered to remember 9/11 at Pennsylvania's official memorial for the victims -- the Garden of Reflection in Bucks County. Eighteen people from Bucks County lost their lives during the terror attacks, including nine in Lower Makefield Township where the memorial is located.
The ringing of the bell at 8:46 a.m. marks the exact moment tragedy struck 18 years ago.
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Tara Bane lost her husband, Michael, who was at work in the North Tower when the first plane crashed into it.
"I am always brought back to the day Michael was taken from me and the horrible memories of the attacks," Bane said.
For some, the bell is a symbol of grief and tragedy, but there are also symbols of hope and peace at the Garden of Reflection. A steel beam from one of the towers stands tall at the garden's entrance as it represents how Americans stood together following the attacks.
"It's hard to believe, some days, that it's been 18 years," Judy Reiss said.
Reiss helped put together Wednesday morning's memorial service. Her son, Josh, was 23 years old when he was killed on Sept. 11.
"I can still remember, moment-by-moment, that morning. I can get remember getting a phone call, being told to turn on the television and I can remember the actual fear and horror," she said.
Josh Reiss was one of Rob Segal's best friends.
"In Judaism, we're taught that for those who have passed, to keep their spirit alive, we're to tell stories and constantly talk about them," Segal said at the ceremony.
As the sun set over the Garden of Reflection, hundreds held on to flags and each other as religious leaders offered words of compassion.
The 9/11 Garden of Reflection was dedicated by families of the 18 Bucks County victims.
CBS3's Matt Petrillo and Alexandria Hoff contributed to this report.
