Early Thursday morning, hundreds of volunteers prepared the Tempe Healing Field for the annual 9/11 memorial. As the sun began to rise, volunteers at Tempe Beach Park observed a moment of silence, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and began the ceremonial placing of flags. There was somber and respectful energy across the fields, as many in attendance closed their eyes or looked gravely forward.

As the morning progressed, volunteers planted 2,977 American flags across the grounds in honor of each person killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

This event mirrors similar memorials across the country, where communities gather to remember the lives lost and honor the sacrifices of the military members and first responders.

“You see the enormity of what that number means,” Mark Whi

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