PORTSMOUTH — The city's fire and police departments hosted the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony the morning of Sept. 11 outside City Hall, where a 9/11 Steel Artifact Memorial is displayed.

The program started at 8:46 a.m. — the moment the hijacked plane hit the first tower on Sept. 11, 2001 — as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard whistle sounded. The skies were as clear and blue as they were 24 years ago.

The program began and ended with bagpiper officer James Noury and an invocation and benediction by police and fire chaplain Jeff Pelkey.

Deputy Police Chief Michael Maloney hosted the ceremony that included remarks from Mayor Deaglan McEachern and Portsmouth Fire Chief William McQuillen.

Retired Portsmouth firefighter Teddy Blood played taps.

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