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| Picture (Robert Clark / Associated Press) |
It has been
16 years since the 9/11 attacks.
The attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States and led to the death of 3000 people.
372 foreign nationals (including the 19 terrorists) from 57 countries, who represented just over 12% of the total number of deaths, also perished in the attacks.
To remember this day, residents of Tempe, gathered outside the city's center for performing art to remember victims of 9/11.
Mark Poisson, the event organizer with Exchange Club of Tempe, spoke mostly about the importance of keeping the memory of the victims alive.
"People seem to be forgetting what happened on this day, 16 years ago today and our motto is "never forget."
Poisson said seeing families of the victims on the commemorations signifies the impact of the event.
"I had a woman coming this week and she was asking how he could find a specific name. We walked through towards a flag and there was a name of his son on it and she broke down when she saw it," Poisson said.
Bill Kelley, a resident of Phoenix recalled what he felt when the attacks happened.
"I was on my way to teach at a high school. I received a call from my friend, saying I should turn on the television," Kelley said.
"I turned it on, I couldn't believe it, and one plane had already hit one of the towers. I stand there in disbelief and here comes another plane, hits another tower."
