Lamont Directs Flags To Half-Staff In Observance Of 9/11

Gov. Ned Lamont has directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 11, in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including 161 people with CT ties.

Flags will be lowered at the Connecticut State Capitol and all other state-operated buildings, grounds and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for the same period.

Because no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal and corporate flags, should also be lowered.

Lamont also announced that the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, which carries Interstate 95 across the Quinnipiac River in New Haven, and the parking structure at the Stamford Transportation Center will be illuminated in red, white and blue in recognition of the anniversary.

"Twenty-five years ago, one of the greatest tragedies in American history hit all too close to home, and we must always remember and pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on that horrific day," Lamont said in a news release.

"This anniversary also serves as an unmistakable reminder of the dangers that our brave first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, and paramedics, face every day they when they arrive at work out of a sense of duty to protect our communities.

"We continue to pray for the men and women of the Armed Forces who are deployed overseas in service to our nation and protecting our freedoms, as well as the many military heroes whose lives were lost in the ongoing battle to keep us safe since 2001. On this anniversary, let’s remember that our many differences are what make our country great, and despite those differences, we can unite as Americans and stand together in support of our common values and our respect for one another."

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz noted that memories of that bright, sunny Tuesday are still strong 25 years later.

"The events of that day transformed our nation forever. And, on that day, we saw courageous acts that reminded us of America’s resiliency when we come together as one," Bysiewicz said in a news release. "To all of those who have lost loved ones: our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers are with you—always. I can assure you that the State of Connecticut, Governor Lamont, and I will never forget those we’ve lost and the sacrifice and trauma of those they left behind."

Connecticut's official memorial honoring victims of the attacks is located on a peninsula at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, where the Manhattan skyline can be seen across Long Island Sound on a clear day.

The memorial features stones engraved with the names of 161 people with ties to Connecticut who were killed in the attacks.

The state park was selected as the memorial site because many Connecticut residents gathered there in the hours after the attacks to observe the smoke and devastation in Lower Manhattan from across Long Island Sound.

The Connecticut National Guard also used the site as a staging area for the state’s relief efforts in New York City in the days following the attacks.

Along with remembrance ceremonies across Connecticut, larger observances were held at the three attack sites in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa.