SYLVANIA, Ohio — This Sept. 11, people in our area will gather together to remember and reflect on the lives lost in the terrorist attacks on the New York City twin towers.
Toledo Memorial Park will hosted the 23rd anniversary memorial at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Toledo Memorial Park leaders said they make an effort to honor veterans and first responders every day. But on 9/11, they host a ceremony to remember the first responders that rushed to the Twin Towers and didn't return home.
The public will get a close look at the 911 first responder memorial in Sylvania this year and they can also hear from guest speakers and the honor guard. The Memorial is located in the northeast corner of the park.
The memorial itself is made up of multiple first responder graves along with a portion of the wreckage found in the 9/11 aftermath. It includes a beam structure that stands 9 1/2 feet tall and is designed in the shape of a bolt, which is intended symbolize the American spirit. The beam points one degree south from due east directly at the World Trade Center site.
"Those first responders go to work every day not knowing how their day is going to end. You and I go to work and expect to come home. They don't know and that takes a special kind of person to do that. And we need to remember that and honor that because without them, who are you going to call," said Jeff Clegg, President of Toledo Memorial Park.
WATCH MORE FROM WTOL 11