Fairfax County hosts 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at Bailey’s Crossroads fire station

First responders at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Fairfax County is hosting a Remembrance Ceremony Saturday, Sept. 11, in Bailey’s Crossroads on the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy. 

The event, honoring those lost and those who answered the call, is 2 p.m. at the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department at 3601 Firehouse Lane. Many first responders from that station assisted at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.  

Scheduled speakers include Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, Fire and Rescue Chief John Butler, and Police Chief Kevin Davis. 

“Most of us can remember where we were when we first learned of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001,” Gross said. “While it doesn’t seem possible that 20 years have passed since that terrible day, for many of our professional and volunteer fire and rescue personnel and other first responders, the events of that day are forever sealed in their memories.” 

The public is encouraged to view the ceremony online. It will be televised on Fairfax County government channel 1016 (Cox) and Channel 16 (Verizon/Comcast) and livestreamed on Channel 16 and the county’s Facebook page.  

Many other activities are taking place on Sept. 11 in connection with VolunteerFest, a countywide day of service. Members of the community can sign up for those events, which include the assembly of survival kits for the homeless in Annandale and a virtual project to put together first aid kids for the Annandale Christian Community for Action’s food pantry. 

People can also volunteer for a cleanup event along the proposed Annandale Greenway on Sept. 11.