Charlotte joined the nation in remembrance on Thursday as residents marked 24 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with a powerful tribute at Romare Bearden Park.
The Firefighter Steven Coakley Foundation placed 2,977 American flags across the lawn, each symbolizing a life lost on that tragic day. The display, arranged in the shape of the Twin Towers, serves as both a memorial and a reminder of the enduring impact of the attacks.
A service began at 8 a.m., followed by the tolling of bells at key moments throughout the morning: 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. when the planes struck the Twin Towers, 9:37 a.m. for the Pentagon attack, 9:59 a.m. and 10:28 a.m. marking the collapse of the towers, and 10:03 a.m. for the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
The foundation, created in memory of a New York firefighter who died on 9/11, has led the Flags of Remembrance event in Charlotte for several years.
Residents gathered quietly at the park, reflecting on the loss and resilience that have shaped the country since September 2001.
