Firefighters at Gainesville Fire Station No.1, located at 427 S. Main St, raise the flag to half-staff to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks on Tuesday morning.
Lowering their flags to half mast and ringing their bells, Gainesville firefighters paid tribute to firefighters and the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks.
Tuesday marked the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a failed attempt which ended as a plane crash in Shanksville, Pa.
Deputy Fire Chief Tim Hayes said this day marks the anniversary of the worst tragedies in the history of the United States.
"We will be holding these events at all fire stations in honor of our fallen Brothers and Sister Firefighters and the brave Americans who gave their lives that day," Hayes said.
The ceremony began at 8:46 a.m., a time chosen to correspond with the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. A moment of silence was also observed.
R.D. Bonner, a Gainesville citizen, joined the firefighters at Fire Station No. 1, located at 427 S. Main St.
Bonner, who works at Rebuilding Together North Central Florida, a non-profit organization which helps rebuild homes in the area for homeowners in need, said he wanted to take the day to thank other people who are doing good things in the community.
"On 9/11, we thought immediately of the fire department and the services that you provided then and that you provide every day," Bonner said.
According to Bonner, his colleagues from Rebuilding Together North Central Florida were at other fire stations around Alachua County. Bonner said they want to thank those who perform this "vital service in every community across the nation."
Memorials and tributes are taking place throughout the nation, including those at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pa.
Flags will remain at half mast until sunset.
The names of all 2,983 victims from the collapse of the towers and Pentagon attacks, Flight 93 and 1993 World Trade Center bombing will be read by family members, according to an article on the USA Today website.
Video provided by Gainesville Fire Rescue.