Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and several southern Maine communities are planning remembrance events.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York City, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon during terrorist attacks carried out by the terrorist organization al-Qaida.

The ringleader of the attacks started that day at Portland International Jetport. Mohamed Atta and Abdulaziz Alomari flew from Portland to Boston, where they boarded a jet that Atta flew into the World Trade Center’s north tower.

Among the victims from Maine were retirees Jackie and Robert Norton of Lubec and Portland lawyer James Roux, who were on hijacked flights, along with Stephen Ward, a Gorham native in the north tower of the World Trade Centers in New York; and Navy Cmdr. Robert Allan Schlegel at the Pentagon.

Here is a list of local events planned for Sunday to remember those who died and the legacy of that historic day.

— Portland: Wreath laying ceremony at 8:30 followed by moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. Fort Allen Park on the Eastern Promenade. Also, American Red Cross blood drive at the Portland Elks Lodge at 1945 Congress St. from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Advertisement

— Falmouth: Remebrance ceremony at 1 p.m. At American Legion Post 164, 65 Depot Road. Folding chairs are recommended.

— Freeport: Silent procession at 9 a.m. from the Public Safety Building to the tower monument at Main and West Streets, followed by wreath laying and moment of silence.

— Scarborough: Ceremony from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Dunstan Fire Station, 639 Route 1, including moment of silence at 10 a.m. and the reading of names of first responders killed.

— Old Orchard Beach: Ceremony at 6 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, organized by the Old Orchard Beach Flag Raising Committee.

— Old Orchard Beach: Remembrance event at 6 p.m. at Seaside Pavilion, featuring first-hand accounts of Salvation Army responders.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.