Monday marks 22 years since the September 11th attacks, one of America's greatest tragedies that sent shockwaves through the world and changed the course of the country's history.
Boston joined the rest of the U.S. in remembering the lives lost on the dark day with several local ceremonies.
At 8:30 a.m. at the State House, the Reading of Names ceremony was held for family members and friends of those lost 22 years ago. That included a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking the exact time the first plane — American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston — struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Diane Hunt's voice broke as she read the name of her deceased son during the ceremony.
Hunt's son, William Christopher Hunt, was among those killed on Sept. 11, 2001. He worked at New York City's World Trade Center on the 84th floor of the South Tower, which collapsed within an hour of being struck by a hijacked airplane. His name and more than 200 others were read aloud Monday to remember victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, and the passenger-thwarted attack that ended in Pennsylvania, who were Massachusetts residents or had strong ties to the Commonwealth.
"He was 32 -- beautiful, handsome redhead," Diane Hunt said. "I never want anybody to forget he was a wonderful human being, so I really want him to be a part of everybody's life and never let anybody forget this day. It's too important."
Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also participated in reading names, alongside other family members who shared brief, heartrending tributes of their loved ones.
"As we listen to their names, we honor their memory and our national commitment to never forget," Leslie Blair, a family advisory member of The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund, said. "Behind each name is a unique person that was taken from us far too soon."
Blair said families, friends and the country are "forever changed" by the attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
During her first 9/11 ceremony as governor, Healey solemnly descended the steps of the state Capitol with an American flag, which was raised to half-staff. Healey remained at the flagpole during renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Taps."
Spectators stood outside the State House steps, with others gathered across the street near Boston Common, during the proceedings.
Later Monday morning, the Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Awards for Civilian Bravery were handed out in honor of the Acton flight attendant who contacted ground services with critical information about the hijackers in the flight’s final moments.
This year's award for civilian bravery in Sweeney's honor went to four Berlin residents who helped rescue a neighbor following a house explosion in April, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said during the ceremony.
"When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a house destroyed in a fire that required the support of 10 different towns to quell," Driscoll said. "They also found four people digging through burning rubble, lifting portions of the roof, climbing over live wires and dodging raging fire in an effort to save their neighbors. One resident of the house was lost, but another was saved -- pulled from burning rubble."
Jonathan Golas, Brian Clemmer, Dylan Clemmer and Robert Wheeler accepted the Sweeney awards, shaking hands with Driscoll, and Anna Sweeney -- Amy's daughter.
Anna Sweeney said Monday that the annual award helps to keep her mother's memory alive, and that she is honored that acts of bravery are recognized in her name.
"A lot can happen in 22 years," Sweeney said. "Whether intentionally or not, much of my life has been measured in milestones she should have been there for."
Later, at 1:30 in the afternoon, a Wreath Laying Ceremony was scheduled at the Boston Public Garden.
The Massachusetts Firefighters Memorial Ceremony was scheduled to be held at 5 p.m., to honor the service and sacrifice of the 343 firefighters and paramedics who died on Sept. 11.
Meanwhile, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., there was a Day of Remembrance Blood Drive at Fenway Park.
“Today we are coming together on the anniversary of 9/11 with that same sense of community, that desire to help others in our communities in times of need," Mass General Brigham’s Dr. Paul Biddinger, the chair of the Biomedical Committee for Red Cross Massachusetts, said.
There are also many other events being held in communities across the state and the nation to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
State House News Service contributed to this report.
