On Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of lives were lost due to multiple terrorist plane hijackings. On Wednesday, communities throughout Hampton Roads
2,977 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when 19 al-Qaida hijackers crashed four jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a field in southwest, rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Every year since that day, Americans nationwide hold remembrance ceremonies to honor the victims and their families.
In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday.
Across Hampton Roads, each of the seven cities commemorated the day, 23 years after the tragic event:
Newport News
Public Safety units held their annual commemoration ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Gaines Theatre on the campus of Christopher Newport University with U.S. Army Major General John D. Kline, as the keynote speaker.
Portsmouth
An 11 a.m. anniversary ceremonywas held at High …