Hattiesburg first responders host 9/11 observance memorial

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Hattiesburg first responders, city officials and other people from the community gathered at No.1 Fire Station Monday afternoon to commemorate those who died in 9/11 attack and recovery.

On September 11th, 2001 four jet planes were hijacked and crashed into the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

"Today is a day we come and we remember what happened. We remember being under attack, remember those who came and gave their lives to get people out of those twin towers and out of the pentagon and those who risked their lives to take down that plane in Pennsylvania," said Toby Barker, Mayor of Hattiesburg.

According to US Congress, 414 first responders were killed in attempt to rescue others and between 60,000 and 70,000 first responders were exposed to highly toxic dust from the World Trade Center wreckage.

" If we can get back to that where we just exercise basic decency and we treated people with respect and we try to get out and make our communities better, that is the most active sense of gratitude, to those people who sacrificed their lives that we could give as individuals,” said Barker.

Emergency officials lead the program with the sounding of the bell, presentations, 21 gun salute and more.

Patriot Day is recognized by the US as the official day of remembrance for the tragic 16 year old event.