9/11 Patriots Day Services Honor Memory Of Fairfax Residents

FAIRFAX, VA — Sometimes called Patriots Day, Sept. 11 has become a national day of remembrance honoring the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon in Arlington.

Americans felt a collective trauma as first one and then another plane flew into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. As the truth dawned on people watching from their TVs that America was under attack, another plane took aim at the Pentagon. A fourth was brought down in a field in Pennsylvania in a final act of heroism by passengers who realized their flight had been hijacked.

At least 2,973 people lost their lives in the attacks. The somber anniversary is marked across the country with memorial services, moments of silence and community events.

Fairfax County's own first responders were part of the regional response to the attack on the Pentagon.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be hosting its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Fire Station 40, which is located at 4621 Legato Road in Fairfax.

The Great Falls Freedom Memorial will be hosting a Remembrance Ceremony at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Retired Vice Adm. Lou Crenshaw of the U.S. Navy will be the keynote speaker and Erin Gantt will sing patriotic songs. The Freedom Memorial is located behind the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike.

The Fairfax community remembers the following residents who died at the Pentagon or as passengers on American Airlines Flight 77 on Sept. 11, 2021:

• Khang Nguyen, 41 of Fairfax, VA (Deceased-Pentagon)
• Michael L. Selves, 53 of Fairfax, VA (Deceased-Pentagon)
• Sandra Teague, 31 of Fairfax, VA (Deceased-American Airlines Flight 77)