Seventy-seven minutes.
That's the time it took to kill nearly 3,000 people during terrorist attacks on the United States Sept. 11, 2001.
Ten years later, Tucsonans remembered the people killed in New York's World Trade Center towers, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in a field in Shanksville, Pa.
Sunday's memorial began downtown at Tucson Fire Central. As members of the Tucson Fire Pipes and Drums performed "Amazing Grace," firefighters and law enforcement officers clad in black dress uniforms stood at attention, many saluting. The bagpipers, followed by the color guard and almost 150 fire, police and military personnel, led a procession east on Cushing Street. Nearly 250 spectators joined in the short walk to the Tucson Police Department's headquarters on Stone Avenue.
After brief remarks and a 21-gun salute, dozens of emergency vehicles, lights flashing, drove to Reid Park for an hour-long memorial.
Michelle and Victor Cruz were at police headquarters with their 10-year-old twin sons, Vincent and Victor. The boys were only months old on Sept. 11, 2001. Their parents want the twins to understand the events of 9/11 and the courage witnessed that day.
"It's important, as a parent, to remind these guys of the sacrifices people made and the bravery they showed," Michelle Cruz said.
Still, said her husband, "I wish we didn't have to remember things like this."
After the TPD ceremony, the family headed to the memorial at Reid Park where the Cruzes' 17-year-old daughter, Amanda, a Tucson Fire Department cadet, was volunteering.
Brett McAteer and his 3-year-old son, Liam, were among the several hundred people at the Reid Park memorial. McAteer saw the emotional aftermath of 9/11 when he traveled to New York City from Tucson to provide grief counseling to the children of firefighters who died when the Twin Towers collapsed.
"We can't become complacent," he said. "We need to remember that this can happen."
Sisters Beth Macnow-Marsh and Sherri Macnow attended the Reid Park memorial in honor of their late mother. Harriett Macnow grew up in the Big Apple and, though she'd been a Tucsonan for 30 years, she was still a New Yorker at heart, her daughters said. She died a year ago on Sept. 11.
"She was devastated when New York was attacked," said Sherri Macnow. "She would have been here today giving hugs to everybody. She had more love than anyone I know."
Sunday had dual meaning for John Green, father of Christina-Taylor, who would have celebrated her 10th birthday on Sept. 11. He spoke of his civic-minded daughter at the memorial. Christina-Taylor was one of six people killed Jan. 8 when a gunman opened fire at a community event hosted by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
"My little girl, Christina-Taylor Green, was born on that day. She was able to show us all what is really important in this world," he said. "We remember her for her big smile and ambitious goals. She taught us to not only dream big, but do so while helping others.
"It's painful to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us," Green said. "Let's do them the honor of making this a better world to live in."
On StarNet: See photos from anniversary ceremonies in Tucson and across the country at azstarnet.com/gallery
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.
