Remembering 9/11: Local events mark 22 years since terrorist attacks

DALLAS - Communities across North Texas came together for a day of remembrance 22 years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Former President George W. Bush made a surprise appearance at his presidential center on the Southern Methodist University campus Monday morning. He and former First Lady Laura Bush paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 during a ceremony.

A twisted steel beam from one of the World Trade Center buildings is on display at the Bush Center, surrounded by the names of the victims of the attacks.

"I came today because it's just such an important day, and it's a powerful day. And I feel like a lot of times it gets lost in just the busyness of life," said Susan Overman, who was visiting the Bush Presidential Center. "I don't know that our children know enough about it because it's such a pivotal moment for us. All of those people who lost their lives, lost their loved ones deserve a moment of respect."

The steel piece has been designated as a memorial, not an artifact so that visitors can touch it if they choose.

Other artifacts on display include the bullhorn the president used as he stood on top of the crushed fire truck at Ground Zero, letters from school children, the president's handwritten notes he jotted down immediately after learning about the attacks, and the badge the mother of a killed port authority police officer gave to Bush, which he carried throughout the rest of his presidency.

Over in Garland, more than 1,000 people spent their morning helping others in observance of 9/11. They packed hundreds of thousands of healthy meals for individuals and families at risk of hunger in North Texas. The meals were then donated to the North Texas Food Bank.

This is the fifth year for the meal-packing event. Volunteers including employees from more than 40 companies based in North Texas participated.

Volunteering events like this one are organized each year in cities across the country to make 9/11 a day of service and remembrance.

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Grapevine hosted its annual remembrance ceremony at the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial that honors the 33 airline crew members killed in the terror attacks. Two of the hijacked flights were American Airlines.

"This is the day flight attendants were among the first responders of that day, relaying critical information from the cabin of the hijacked airplanes to those who were on the ground," said Amber de Roxtra with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "And we’ll never forget their bravery or heroism."

Grapevine Fire Chief Darrell Brown reminded everyone that the tragedy was also a unifying moment.

"Do you remember the hurt, the disbelief, the fear, the tragedy? I know I certainly do," he said. "But I also remember seeing the red, white and blue. It was everywhere. American flags proudly displayed, and neighbors checked on each other." 

The flag was lowered to half-staff, and there were moments of silence in remembrance of each plane hitting the Twin Towers.

Grapevine High School's wrestling team also hosted the 9/11 Tribute Climb at Mustang Panther Stadium. First responders from the cities of Grapevine, Colleyville, and Euless joined the team and others to climb the equivalent of the 110 flights of stairs that heroes climb inside the Twin Towers.

In northern Collin County, people in Prosper commemorated 9/11 with a special ceremony and blood drive. 

The town’s mayor, as well as its police and fire chiefs, spoke at the Prosper Central Fire Station. Music and a flyover followed

The Carter BloodCare bus collected donations at the fire station.