WESTERN MASS. – This Sept. 11 marks 20 years since the deadly terrorist attacks took place in New York City, bringing down the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Flight 93 and causing damage to the Pentagon.

Thousands of lives were lost during the tragic event, including some of Western Massachusetts’ very own. Each year, communities around the country gather in observance to remember and honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

Below is a list of some communities in Hampden County and how they’re choosing to observe the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, however, due to printing deadlines this is not a complete list of observances taking place. To see if your community is hosting a commemoration, please check with your local municipality.

Agawam

The town of Agawam will be conducting a remembrance ceremony set to take place on Sept. 11, at 9:30 a.m., in front of the Agawam Fire Department Headquarters, 800 Main St. Those speaking during the remembrance ceremony include Agawam Fire Chief Alan Sirois, Father Bill Hamilton, Agawam Fire Department Chaplain; Reverend Dr. Harvey Hill of Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Mayor William Sapelli, and Christopher Lanski, Agawam Veterans Services Director. Kerri O’Connor will sing the National Anthem. Taps will be played by Christian and Gabriel Rua, and a three volley salute will be fired by the American Legion Post 185 Color Guard. Fire Chief Sirois said, “It is my hope that Agawam will join us to remember the thousands of lives lost, pay tribute to the bravery of our
nation’s emergency service providers, and honor the service of our nation’s military personnel. For respect is the simplest form of gratitude that we can pay.”

Chicopee

While plans are still being finalized as of press time, Chicopee intends to conduct their yearly Sept. 11 commemoration ceremony. Police, firefighters, and a local pastor will help initiate the event which is set to happen on Sept. 11, according to Chicopee Communications and Special Project Manager Rachel Beaulieu.

East Longmeadow

The East Longmeadow Fire Department will host a “Twentieth Annual Candlelight Vigil” to remember the victims of Sept. 11 and their families. The half-hour ceremony on the front lawn of the East Longmeadow Fire Department, 150 Somers Rd., will begin at 8 p.m.

Enfield, CT

The Enfield Fire Department are inviting community members to attend their Sept. 11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Event. The event will begin with a parade at 9:15 a.m., with the parade starting at the Porter and Chester Institute before concluding at the Enfield Fire District Station #2 on 199 Weymouth Rd. A short ceremony will take place there, with refreshments served afterward. The event will be conducted rain or shine. While there, patrons can also visit the 9/11 Memorial Tribute Garden, which is made up from two beams recovered from floor 80 of the North Tower.

Granby

As of the time of press,  Granby had not announced any official town-sponsored events to commemorate Sept. 11. However, the Dino Fest, which will take place on Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will host a four-mile race in honor of those who lost their lives and have continued to be impacted by the tragedy in the years following the event. At 9 a.m. on Sept. 11 on 235 State St. walkers and runners will begin their route to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Also taking place at the Dino Fest is a commemoration of the event which first responders from Granby and other surrounding communities have been invited to participate in.

Longmeadow

Members of the Longmeadow Fire Department will attend a public mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow St. to mark the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11. Members of the armed forces will also be in attendance. No other public ceremony was planned as of press time.

Russell

The Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation at 310 Birch Hill Road is hosting a 9/11 Remembrance at the campsite which
is open to scouts, families, friends and neighbors. Pre-
registration is requested at www.wmascouting.org/9-11.

The Scout Camp opens at 8 a.m., and people are asked to arrive before 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 8:40 a.m. in the amphitheater and ends by 10:30 a.m. There is low to ground seating or bring your own camp chairs. In the case of inclement weather, it will be in the dining hall. The trading post will be open.

There will be speakers, reflections, cannon shot, a bugler, and a flag presentation in the ceremony.

The event is co-hosted by Explorer Post 413, certified by the Start Em Early Foundation and overseen by the Hilltown Chiefs Association. Parking is in the main parking lot only as the Campmaster Trailer Area is reserved for Public Service Vehicles from area towns.

Somers, CT

As of press time, Somers had not announced any official town-sponsored ceremonies to commemorate Sept 11. Residents can visit the town’s Sept 11. Memorial located at the Somers Fire Department on 400 Main St.

South Hadley

A number of groups in South Hadley will come together on Sept. 11 to honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 including South Hadley Fire Districts 1 and 2, the South Hadley Police Department and veterans. Residents are invited to gather on the Town Commons beginning at 10 a.m. for the commemoration event, which will feature guest singers such as Lindsay LaBelle, Sand and Bob Lacasse, Patty Meon and Matt O’Connor on bagpipes. In the event of rain, participants and attendees are asked to gather at South Hadley Fire District 2 at 20 Woodbridge St.

Southwick

The Southwick Fire Department will have a public in-person ceremony at the fire station at 15 Depot St. at 9:50 a.m.. It will begin with opening remarks from Fire Chief Russ Anderson and Police Lieutenant Rhett Bannish, and a prayer from Fire Chaplain Pastor Dan Valeri. Deputy Fire Chief Richard Stefanowicz will lead the ceremony in the Calling of Orders. The ceremony will feature the ringing of the five bells, a tradition that is supposed to represent the morse code signal that would go out when a firefighter was killed in the line of duty. Southwick’s ceremony will conclude with closing remarks from Select Board member Douglas Moglin.

Springfield

Springfield plans to continue their annual tradition of commemorating 9/11 with a ceremony in Riverfront Park on Sept 10 at 6 p.m. Coordinated by Spirit of Springfield, the ceremony will include video messages from former President George W. Bush and Congressman Richard Neal, remarks by Mayor Dominic Sarno, 104 Fighter Wing Commander William Bladden, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi and Emily Chandler of American Medical Response. The ceremony will include messages from those who attended the dedication of the Springfield Sept. 11 monument, video display of all 498 first responders lost that day, tolling of the fire bell and the rolling of fire equipment across Memorial Bridge.     Springfield will also be hosting their annual Memorial StairClimb on Sept. 12. At this event, each patron walks the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center to commemorate New York firefighters’ sacrifice. Readers can register for the event at http://springfieldmemorialstairclimb.org/.

Westfield

Westfield’s Sept. 11 tribute will be split into three ceremonies, as has been the tradition in the Whip City since the attacks. The first ceremony will take place at 9:45 a.m. at the Westfield Fire Headquarters on Broad Street. Fire Chief Patrick Egloff said that he hopes to have the road closed off for the duration of the ceremony so that noise from passing traffic does not disrupt it. Like Southwick and other communities, Westfield’s Fire Department ceremony will feature the ringing of the five bells, as well as remarks from Egloff and other Westfield First Responders. At 11 a.m., another ceremony will take place at the 9/11 memorial obelisk on Elm Street, where the names of three Westfield residents who were killed on that day are displayed: Tara K. Shea-Creamer, Brian J. Murphy, and Daniel P. Trant. Shea-Creamer was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the Twin Towers. Murphy and Trant were both at work in the towers when the attacks took place. Following the ceremony at the 9/11 memorial, a memorial service will take place at the Sons of Erin at 2 p.m.

West Springfield

The town of West Springfield will be hosting a virtual remembrance ceremony to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11. On Sept. 11, at 8:30 a.m., residents are encouraged to view the ceremony on Facebook Live and/or Local Access Channel 15. Dan Roberts, master of ceremonies will begin the presentation, along with the Presentation of Colors by the West Springfield Police Honor Guard. Speakers will include Mayor William Reichelt, Police Chief Paul Connor, Fire Chief William Flaherty, Director of Veterans’ Services Nick Smith, and Robert Harrington. At 8:46 a.m., there will be a moment of silence, as this is the time in which the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. For additional information on the remembrance ceremony and its programming, visit www.townofwestspringfield.org and/or the town's official social media sites.