Palatine marks 9/11 anniversary with tribute

PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) -- Palatine residents gathered to mark the anniversary of 9/11 Thursday with a tribute to remember those lost in the terror attacks.

The ceremony was very moving for Mary Smith, a flight attendant who lost five dear friends on Flight 93 when the plane crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001.

The memories are still very vivid 13 years later.

"On that day, those of us that were flight attendants and I'm sure many others, fire fighters, pilots, were calling each other to figure out who was where," Smith said. "As the names were revealed I began to realize I was very personally connected."

Smith decided to stay close to friends this year and spend the day in Palatine for their moving tribute.

The ceremony included a prayer, lowering of the flag, wreath laying, 21-gun salute and bagpipes. It's a service first responders say helps them deal with the emotions this day brings.

"This helps us cope every year and this will be a tradition forever in Palatine," said Palatine Fire Chief Scott Andersen.