September 11 Programs

By Bernie Marvin

Many communities in New Hampshire, Vermont, and throughout the nation held commemorative observances that marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the nation.

Several regional and statewide tributes were scheduled in the Twin States to honor the more than 3,000 victims. A Major Observance in New Hampshire was the Mount Washington Tribute of Light from an organization known as Honor Summit NH.

They organized a massive visual tribute at New Hampshire's highest peak, where two powerful beams of light shone into the sky from the summit of Mount Washington from September 9 through September 12, between 8:00 PM and midnight.

According to regional television, radio, and news outlets across the nation, town halls, fire departments, police stations, and military units across the state have traditionally hosted localized morning flag-lowering and bell-ringing ceremonies to mark the exact times the planes struck the twin financial towers in New York City 25 years ago.

Most fire stations throughout this area of New Hampshire and Vermont parked a fire truck outside their station with signs indicating they were placed there in memory of firefighters and first responders who lost their lives during the September 11 attacks and after.

A Major Observance in Vermont included the Vermont Veterans Home Ceremony held in Bennington. A large public ceremony took place on Friday, September 11, starting at 8:25 AM, and was hosted alongside local first responders assembled for the event on the Vermont Veterans Home lawn,

The program featured guest speakers, a wreath-laying, a 21-gun salute, and a Vermont Army National Guard helicopter landing.

There was also a University of Vermont Tower Challenge in Burlington. The UVM Army ROTC participated in the National Tower Challenge at the University of Vermont campus that honored the victims, including 11 UVM alumni who died at the World Trade Center buildings when they were bombed by two civilian airliners that terrorists had hijacked.

There was also a First Responder Ride for Resilience, with firefighters from the Burlington Fire Department participating in a 343-mile memorial bike ride from Boston to New York City to honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives.

In the Granite State, The Honor Summit was a special tribute that took place atop Mount Washington, in New Hampshire, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.  Organized by the Granite Springs Foundation and led by New Hampshire businesswoman Renee Plummer, the event honored the lives lost by first responders and military veterans.

Inspired by New York City's Tribute in Light, two massive blue vertical light beams were projected from the summit of the 6,288-foot peak. The lights shine every night of the event from 8:00 PM to midnight. The beams shoot roughly three to four and one-half miles into the night sky. 

On clear nights, observers reported they could be seen from up to a 135-mile radius, making them visible across much of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and as far south as northern Massachusetts and beyond.

Because the event took place during bird migration seasons, wildlife experts were stationed on-site to monitor the skies and temporarily shut down the lights if migrating birds got too close.

The Mount Washington Auto Road offered official van tours to the summit for a close-up experience. Private vehicles were prohibited from driving up the mountain on these nights.

The initiative was also a fundraiser. Donations collected through the event are distributed to four nonprofit veterans service organizations—focused on providing mental health resources and retreats for veterans, first responders, and their families.