United way honors 9/11 victims with annual flag raising

VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – On this day 23 years ago, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives during the worst terrorist attack ever suffered by the United States.

This morning, the United Way of Broome County continued its tradition of holding a 9/11 flag raising outside of its headquarters in Vestal.

A color guard from the Broome County Veterans Memorial Association conducted the ceremony.

The United Way planted 2,997 American flags on its lawn to honor those who died on September 11.

The organization is considering how to also remember the hundreds more who have died from 9/11 related illnesses in the years since the terrorist attacks.

BC Veterans Memorial Association President Walt Loveless says the country should never forget.

“This is something that happened on our soil. We need to respect the lives that were lost through no fault of their own. We need to commemorate that every year,” said Loveless.

The color guard will return on Wednesday evening at 7 for a flag retiring ceremony.

Other September 11 commemorations were held outside of Binghamton City Hall, at Hickories Park in Owego and at Binghamton University.

The Town of Union will hold its annual ceremony this evening at 6:30 in Highland Park.

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