A number of events took place Monday morning to remember the 16th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
At the University of Rochester, NROTC midshipmen took turns standing at attention in the quad holding the American Flag.
UR Freshman Elijah Muñoz said it was important for him to be a part of this vigil because the events affected him personally
"I had family involved helping others and the stories that they brought back home was devastating."
Muñoz was young and living in New Jersey at the time, he had family in Manhattan as well.
Lily Huntoon is a sophomore NROTC member; she says it’s important to continue to remember those lives.
"I was at my home I was only about three at the time and my parents were watching it on the news and I just remember my mom was crying a lot and I didn’t know what was going on. It’s only until later I actually realized what happened and not until I’m even older do I recognize the gravity of it."
Monroe Community College held their annual remembrance ceremony early Monday morning. Bernard Butler was in the crowd; he’s an MCC student, veteran and member of the college’s Veterans Club.
He said he remembers the events in 2001; he was at work as well as transitioning from military to civilian life.
"I’m on the verge of getting out of the military and it’s like what do I do now? Am I going to have to stay in? Where do I go to do something about this? Who were the people inside and what about their families?"
Butler says it’s an important time for family and unity and that we shouldn’t wait for tragedy to come to help a neighbor out.
The ceremony also featured remarks by Rochester Police Department Officer Paul Dondorfer, who was a member of the New York City Police Department in 2001.