In honor of the eleventh anniversary of September 11, 2001, the commemoration will be held at the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center. This year, the reading of the names by family members will be the exclusive focus of the program. There will be six moments of silence during the observance, representing the moments each tower was struck and fell, and the moments of the attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93. The first moment of silence will be at 8:46 AM, and houses of worship are encouraged to toll their bells at that time.

The commemoration will conclude at approximately 12:00 PM, and the 9/11 Memorial will remain open to family members until 8:00 PM. The ceremony is limited to 9/11 family members. The "Tribute in Light" will return at sundown.

For the past six years, the 9/11 Tribute Center has been a central place for family members and the 9/11 community to gather to remember on the anniversary of September 11, 2001. Many have visited year after year and found the Tribute Center to be a central place to connect with others. Together we have shared hugs, looked at photos of loved ones and shared personal stories, which is of course at the very heart of the Tribute Center. This September 11th we look forward to seeing families and the 9/11 community once again. There is much to share from this year as we remember our loved ones.

We also encourage visitors to see a new Tribute Center exhibit about the work of four amazing teachers that involved their students in understanding 9/11 from unique perspectives.  Teaching the history of 9/11 is an important focus of the Tribute Center to insure future generations remember the events and the lives lost.   Another small new exhibition next to the Tribute Gallery of photos shares the wonderful work of several 9/11 family foundations. 

This anniversary as always we remember the events that touched our lives.  We hope that you will be able to share this day of reflection and remembrance with us at the Center, as we all remember our loved ones who are no longer with us.    

The 9/11 Tribute Center will be open to welcome all family members from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. If your loved one is not yet remembered in the Tribute Gallery, and you would like to bring a photo (up to 8" x 10"), submission forms will be available and staff will be present to accept photos.

Visit our families website for a full list of events in your area: www.911families.org

The Pentagon anniversary ceremony is scheduled to take place at 9:30 AM on September 11, 2012 for family members and Pentagon survivors. Brief remarks will be made by Department of Defense leaders.

Observance service on Tuesday, September 11 - 9:45 start time. Plan to arrive early - gate opens at 8 am. The memorial is an outdoor location and walking will be involved with a visit. Memorial Plaza at the crash site will be open to visitors.  The Memorial Plaza walkway is paved, flat, even, and lined with benches. During the memorial service, the public area is grass field and will be accessed by walking across grass fields. Small tributes maybe left in the niches along the Memorial Plaza wall and at the Wall of Names.

7 am - Memorial opens

9:45 - 10:30 am - September 11 Observance (MP)

The open air service will include a reading of the names of the Flight 93 passengers and crew, ringing of the Bells of Remembrance, a wreathing laying, and brief remarks.

12-4 pm - Interpretive Programs

12 pm - Introduction to the story of Flight 93

1 pm - Form and Function: Designing a Memorial Landscape

2 pm - Introduction to the story of Flight 93

3 pm - The Significance of the Hemlock Grove

4 pm - Introduction to the Story of Flight 93

12:30 - 5:30 pm - Tribute Events (MP) - on the half hour

9 pm - Last entry to the memorial

9 pm - Memorial closes