'Marking the Way America Responded': Auburn Remembers 9/11

As the sun set on the city of Auburn on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, a large crowd gathered outside city hall to remember and recognize the lives lost in terrorist attacks decade before.

“What we’re doing here today is not marking the cowards’ act but we’re marking the way America responded,” Lt. Scott Dakin, public information officer for , said during his remarks. “We’ve all come together to mark the 10 year anniversary and to honor those that served.

Throughout the ceremony that capped off the city's 2011 Day of Service and Remembrance, eyes were likely drawn to a rusted piece of metal — a portion of a steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center.

Lt. Ernest Weant, who also spoke during the ceremony, submitted an application on behalf of Barrow County Emergency Services to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to receive the piece of American history. The Port Authority makes pieces of the Twin Towers available to fire departments around the country.

The piece was unveiled during Sunday's event, which included a flag retirement ceremony and a candlelight vigil.