The September 11 attacks in New York and D.C. may have been thousands of miles from our island, but the tragic events of that day have never been forgotten in the hearts and minds of local residents.  Today, eight years after the tragedy, residents across the island came together to remember September 11th.

At the Department of Public Works in Upper Tumon, more than 40 employees took time out to join in prayer and song- remembering the lives that were lost and the brave sacrifices that have been made since.

Highway Safety Coordinater Cil Javier said "Our employees we have a lot of them who are in the reserves, the army, the military and we want to honor them for being brave soliders and representing our island proudly".

For the past eight years local restaurant, Jamaican Grill, has commemorated the sacrifice of police and firefighters on September 11th by offering men and women in uniform free lunches.  General manager, Christine Matsuoka said "I just want to show our appreciation that we do appreciate what they do and we never forget it and this is the only day of year we get to do it for them".

While September 11 will always be a day of remembrance, the widespread changes that were triggered by those events remind us everyday of the bravery of our citizens and the resilience of our nation.  Lt Governor Mike Cruz said, "9/11 September 11 is one of those moments in history I think all of us will remember I think I was talking to benny earlier for maybe the generation before us most people will say do you remember where you were when 911 happened".

by Janjeera Hail