A sign honoring 'Our Utah Fallen' stands at the front of the 9/11 Sandy Healing Field in Sandy, Utah. The Healing Field honors those lost to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and provides a peaceful place for visitors to remember and reflect. (Sydni Merrill)
Utahns raised flags and gathered in remembrance to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Just as former President George W. BushdescribedAmerica's response in 2001, Utah responded with its best in 2023 — to serve and remember.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Former President George W. Bush, in his 'Address to the Nation' on Sept. 11, 2001
Local Lens
9/11 is now a service day, with Provo hosting a day of servicefun runand afood and eyewear drive, with many more service events all around Utah.
'To honor the spirit of sacrifice made that day and the sacrifices that continue to be made by members of the armed forces and their families, we honor those heroes by uniting in service and volunteerism throughout our communities,' the Utah 9/11 Day of Service website said.
The 9/11 Sandy Healing Field features hundreds of flags that represent those who lost their lives on 9/11. The display is free and open from Sept. 9-12. (Sydni Merrill)
Married couple Charity and Mel Ortega live in Salt Lake City and visit the9/11 Sandy Healing Fieldevery year to pay respects to those who died on 9/11.
On 9/11 Mel Ortega was stationed in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army and Charity Ortega remembers sitting in class at Clearfield High School in Utah.
Mel and Charity Ortega describe where they were on Sept. 11, 2001. Charity Ortega pauses and gets emotional at 0:47.
'I lost a lot of friends over there on 9/11 and it's just heartbreaking. And I just want to remember all the innocent people that got killed on this tragic day,' Mel Ortega said.
The Ortegas donate to the Healing Field every year. Last year, after sponsoring a flag, they were gifted one of the flags at the memorial. They plan on putting up at their own home.
'It's amazing. It's peaceful. You just come here and you feel peace,' Charity Ortega said.
According to the display's website, 'this solemn event provides visitors with the powerful sense of hope, healing and courage that we all experienced following the attacks.'
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The 9/11 Healing Field is located at 10000 South Centennial Pkwy in Sandy. The display remains set up and open to the public from Sept. 9-12. (Sydni Merrill)
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An older man recounts the details of 9/11 to a boy. The display's website describes that, "this event continues to ensure that the mature may remember and the young may learn." (Sydni Merrill)
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Charity and Mel Ortega walk through the flags and pay respects those who lost their lives. The Ortega's said they have visited the memorial site since it started more than 20 years ago. (Sydni Merrill)
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The Healing Field allows visitors to peacefully walk through the rows of flags. The event's website thanks volunteers and those that donated, as that makes the community display possible. (Sydni Merrill)
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This flag is in honor of Carlton W Bartels who died in the World Trade Center at age 44. Each flag in the display represents an individual who died on 9/11. (Sydni Merrill)
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Three flags stand in honor of the 2023 Maui fire victims. A sign is posted with a QR code leading to a site accepting donations. (Sydni Merrill)
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A man reads the card attached to a flag, detailing who the flag is dedicated to. Each flag in the display is sponsored by members of the Utah community. (Sydni Merrill)
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A series of flags honor Utah dogs who served on Police K-9 units. According to Mel and Charity Ortega, this is the first year that the display has included flags remembering K-9 Unit Officers. (Sydni Merrill)
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This flag honors Officer Rusty who served on the Orem police force. K-9 Officer Rusty died March 2023. (Sydni Merrill)
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Visitors take photos of the 9/11 Healing Field. The display attracts visitors from all over Utah. (Sydni Merrill)
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Informational posters stand at the end of the field. The posters describe the events that transpired on 9/11. (Sydni Merrill)
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An informational poster at the 9/11 Healing Field reads "September, 11, 2001, the day that changed the world." The display is annually hosted and provided by the Colonial Flag Foundation. (Sydni Merrill)
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Signage posted at the display leads visitors to information and donation sites. According to the display's website, "proceeds raised at each event have been donated to numerous local charities allowing the legacy of those lost, to continue to give and serve their communities and country." (Sydni Merrill)
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Two Utahns and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were killed in the terror attacks while on board the first plane that struck the World Trade Center, according tothe Church. Mary Alice Wahlstrom and her daughter Carolyn Mayer-Beug were from Kaysville, Utah. Wahlstrom's husband of 52 years described her as the 'happiest lady you'll meet,' according to archivedcongressional records.
Two members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brady Howell and Rhonda Rasmussen, were killed in the attacks while at work in the Pentagon when the hijacked aircraft collided with the building. Another member of the Church, Ivhan Luis Carpio, was killed while working on the 107th floor of One World Trade Center.
President Thomas S. Monson, then first counselor in the General Presidency, spoke at an interfaith gathering in Salt Lake City on Sept. 11, 2001.
“Amidst the fear, the sorrow, the pain, and the suffering, a mighty miracle occurred — a fusion of faith, even a pattern of prayer — as Americans turned not to dial 911 but rather dropped to their knees and looked heavenward to God for help,” President Monson said.
Global Responses
Following the attacks other faith and government leaders from around the world responded with condolences and support.
'Calls from world leaders offering support came in within hours of the attacks, and gifts and messages of condolence from people around the world (especially schoolchildren) poured in the following days and weeks,' according to a slide in the exhibit.
Argentina and Canada declared a day of national mourning on Sept. 11, 2001. The U.S. Department of State reported in 2002, 'East Asian nations were universal in their condemnation of the attacks, with most providing substantial direct support to the war on terrorism.'
Hundreds of American flags stand in the 9/11 Sandy Healing Field. According to the display'swebsite,the event draws thousands of visitors from all across the country each year. (Sydni Merrill)
On Sept. 24, 2001, Bush met with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and expressed gratitude for Chretien's immediate response.
'One of the first phone calls I received was from the Prime Minister, offering all his support and condolences to the United States and our citizens,' Bush said. 'It was like getting a phone call from a brother.'
Artists in the U.S. and from around the world captured the harrowing events, preserving the moments for future generations.
The9/11 Memorialin New York City, 'a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice,' honored all 2,977 who lost their lives with theirnamesinscribed on the memorial.
A 9/11 memorial at the USU Botanical Centerwas completed in 2013 and honors the two victims from Kaysville and a third that was a graduate of USU.
Poets from around the world published creative works, capturing global perspectives on 9/11.
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The poem "My Country Tis of Thee" was submitted by Sequoyah Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was created in 2001 by Brittany Woodward. (Library of Congress)
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Poetry was left at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The Library of Congress speculates that this work was written in 2001. (Library of Congress)
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This poem was written by Hilary North in 2001. It was submitted to the Exit Art Gallery Reactions Collection: A Global Response to the 9/11 Attacks. (Library of Congress)
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Wisława Szymborska, deceased Polish poet wrote 'Photograph from September 11.' The poem, translated into English by Clare Cavangh and written within a year of Sept. 11, 2001, describes the horror experienced by onlookers as they witnessed dozens of people jump from the Twin Towers.
As artwork memorializes 9/11, the U.S. is still effected by the tragic events in 2001.
'A growing body of evidence suggests that significant physical and mental health conditions have emerged that are associated with exposure to the disaster,' New York City 9/11 Health reported.
'9/11: As Events Unfolded' documents the 9/11 events through the audio of first responders, air traffic controllers, dispatch personnel, airline employees, pilots, citizens and terrorists. The video was published in 2019. (Transportation Security Administration)
Organizations have documented the various experiences and perspectives on that day, withphoto galleriesand compiledaudiofrom first responders.
As Bush predicted in his 'Address to the Nation,' 9/11 has not been forgotten, with its ripples being felt across the world.
'This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace,' Bush said. 'America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.'