Each year, Americans pause to reflect on the devastation and lasting impact of September 11, 2001. In Jacksonville and across the surrounding First Coast communities, remembrance ceremonies are planned to honor the lives lost and the heroes who responded.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Few dates in American history carry the weight of Sept. 11, 2001, a day that forever changed the nation and remains deeply embedded in collective memory.
That morning, terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, another struck the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers and crew fought to regain control.
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Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks, making 9/11 one of the deadliest days in United States history and reshaping the country’s approach to national security, emergency response and foreign policy.
Here are the First Coast events scheduled to commemorate September 11 and honor the memory and legacy of those who died.
JAX Brief Closure
- The JAX Airport security checkpoint will briefly close as the Transportation Security Administration, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and airport officials honor lives lost.
- Location: Jacksonville International Airport, Pre-Security Checkpoint in Central Courtyard
- Time: 8:46 a.m.
NAS JAX Observance
- Naval Station Mayport Sailors, Navy Security Forces, and First Responders will hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the base headquarters.
- Location: Naval Station Mayport
- Time: 8 a.m.
9/11 Heroes Run
- Jacksonville-area runners, walkers, veterans, first responders and families come together for the Travis Manion Foundation’s annual 9/11 Heroes Run
- Location: Seawalk Pavilion
- Time: 6 p.m.
JFRD Flight Climb
- Jacksonville native and local firefighter Nicholas Billups will climb 110 flights on a stair climber honoring the 25th anniversary.
- Location: Williams Family YMCA
- Time: 9 a.m.
Patriot Day Build
- Beaches Habitat for Humanity will host a Patriot Day build, with local families partnering to build and purchase homes of their own, and volunteers will continue that work throughout the morning.
- Location: Coastal Haven, 2150 Mayport Road
- Time: 8 a.m.
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office ceremony
- NCSO Sheriff Bill Leaper and Nassau County Fire Chief will lead a ceremony honoring lives lost
- Location: Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, 77151 Citizens Circle
- Time: 9 a.m.
Jacksonville Firefighter 9/11 Stair Climb
- Firefighters and law enforcement officers from across Jacksonville will come together for the second annual Jacksonville Firefighter 9/11 Stair Climb.
- Location: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Ballpark
- Time: 11 a.m. (10 a.m. gates)