Salt Lake International Airport Hosts 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The lives of Americans changed forever 18 years ago today, and those who are old enough to have experienced the tragic events of 9/11 are vowing to “never forget.”

In honor of all those who lost their lives that day, events were held across the state on Wednesday — including one at Salt Lake International Airport.

The morning ceremony took place at the construction site of the new Salt Lake Airport. Before hearing from speakers, those in attendance took a moment of silence to recall the tragic events of 9/11. The moment of silence was followed by the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Heathen Highlander’s bagpipers and a singing of the national anthem.

Happening now: 9/11 remembrance event at @slcairport construction site of #newslc. #NeverForget911 #ksltv pic.twitter.com/NE6Uh2X6t2

— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaKSL) September 11, 2019

“I can remember it like it was yesterday,” said Angel Medina, the 9/11 ceremony coordinator.

While 18 years has certainly helped Americans heal, it is still fresh on the minds of those who lived through it.

William Long, who builds airports for a living, was at Newark Airport on Sept. 11, 2001, working as a contractor out of Utah.

“It was very difficult when you saw the Twin Towers go down,” Long said. “… I still remember every day, every year.”

The repercussions of 9/11 are ongoing.

“There’s still people dying from 9/11 becaue of the cement dust and the chemicals and everything else,” Long said. “That’s tough.”

Recalling those difficult times is why

This is the fifth year in a row the Salt Lake International Airport has held a ceremony to honor those who lost their lives that day. The program is put together by the construction team, many of whom are members of the military.

Others were also close to the attack.

“I’m from New Jersey originally; I wasn’t far from that location the day it happened,” said Daniel Newsom, who is working at the construction site of the new airport for Jacobs Project Management Group. “My wife worked just 15 miles out of the city.”

He said he received a phone call from his wife, who worked for the state government. She told him they were locked down.

It was scary time for Newsome as he sat inside his home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as it was for all of the United States. However, the attack brought the country together, and Americans vowed to never forget.

“Let’s keep their honor on top of our minds at all times, every single day — not just on 9/11,” Medina said. “The folks that were unfortunately involved in that situation have family members that will never forget, so why should we?”