Sept. 11, 2019 marked the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States. A service was held at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City on Wednesday to honor those lost, according to news reports.

“Firefighters who were killed 18 years ago are just now being identified,” reported CNN. New York officials say an additional 200 firefighters have lost their lives from illnesses linked to their time working at the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks.

A total of 2,977 people were killed in New York City in the attack organized by Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

“President Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, led a moment of silence at the White House before going to the Pentagon, where 64 people aboard a hijacked American Airlines jet were killed, along with 125 people in the building,” said The New York Times.

Although 9/11 took place 18 years ago, many people still remember that day in detail.

Inlet Grove Testing Administrator Mr. Valliere said he was in Boca Raton working at a brokerage firm trading desk and watching TV on the Financial Channel when the breaking news came on about the attacks. His wife and unborn child were home that day.

“My wife was at home sleeping, eight months pregnant with our firstborn child. They were reporting it as an accident, but I told her it was an attack,”  he said. Because he was a broker he could call brokers he knew who worked in the World Trade Center.

“So people I knew passed away,”  he said.

Graduation Coach Mrs. Bonikowski said she was working in her office when she heard the news.

“I had learned shortly after it happened, as soon as the media outlets were able to send it out,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that someone had attacked the U.S. and caused so much devastation.” She said she cried for the families of the victims and for the people trapped in the towers and other buildings.

Not everyone was at work during the 9/11 attack. English and Reading instructor Mrs. Cartwright said she was a second year student at Wellington High School when the attack occurred. She was in second period when the televisions turned on and the news was broadcasting.

“It was scary since I had come from New York a year and a half before,” said Mrs. Cartwright. “Most of my family lives in Manhattan.”  She said she contacted her parents quickly and everyone was accounted for.

This year, Inlet Grove students and staff  again observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost on 9/11. The tragedy was discussed in classes throughout the day.