This year marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US, which resulted in 2977 deaths, the collapse of both towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, an attack on the Pentagon, and a thwarted attack that ended with a plane crash in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania field after passengers realized what was happening and stormed the cockpit. There are several local ceremonies taking place to mark the event.
Acushnet
Acushnet resident and former New Bedford Fire Chief Roger Nadeau addresses the crowd during the 20th anniversary remembrance of the 9-11 attacks on 9/11/21 at the Acushnet 9-11 Memorial. Behind him seated in front of the memorial, which features a 2700-pound steel beam from the Twin Towers, L-R: Rev. Ryan Healy of St. Franics Xavier Church in Acushnet, Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher, State Rep. Chris Hendricks, Miss Apple Peach Tori Kalisz, Acushnet Selectboard member David Wojnar, Selectboard Chairperson David Desroches. Photo by Beth David.
The Town of Acushnet will hold a 911 remembrance ceremony at its 911 Memorial, located on the grounds of Fire Station 1, 24 Russell St./Parting Ways, on Friday, 9/11, at 6 p.m.
The memorial contains a 2700 pound steel beam from the Twin Towers and other artifacts, including a stone from the site of the crash of Flight 93 in PA. The plaque reads: “Acushnet will always remember.”
This year, the fire department is selling commemorative T-shirts as a fund-raiser to pay for maintenance of the memorial. The shirts feature the Station 1 memorial, World Trade Center steel, and commemorative 25th Anniversary Maltese Cross.
You may order shirts at https://www.jotform.com/form/262383737254160. Orders close September 13th
At the Shep/Fairhaven
The Shepherd Center for the Performing Arts will present a powerful dramatic presentation on the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., with a performance of “110 STORIES” by Watermelon Alligator Theater Company.
Written by Sarah Tuft, “110 STORIES” takes us from the first jetliner crash at the North Tower of the World Trade Center to a last goodbye at Ground Zero, as told by those who were there.
Based on interviews, this docuplay weaves together stories not shown on the news, from a mother, a photojournalist, an ironworker, a chiropractor, and a homeless man who saved lives that day. Their unflinching, traumatized and occasionally funny accounts take us back to when 9/11 was unimaginable, capturing the shock and horror of the day as well as the resilience of New York City and its residents in its aftermath.
The production is appropriate for audiences age 13 and older, and parental discretion is advised. This event will feature a talk-back with the actors following the show. “110 STORIES” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Playscripts.
The performance will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit https://theshepherdcenter.org/110-stories-by-sarah-tuft-2026/
The Shepherd Center, located at 34 Center Street, Fairhaven (William Street Entrance), was founded in 2022 to educate, enrich and support the performing arts community in Fairhaven and the surrounding communities.
Fall River/Battleship Cove
Rite of Reflection: September 11th Ceremony, Fri., 9/11/26, 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m., Battleship Cove, 5 Water St, Fall River, MA 02721, USA
Rite of Reflection Ceremony – Honoring Those Who Lost their Lives in the Attacks on September 11, 2001.
In memory of the deadliest attack on our nation, Battleship Cove will conduct a remembrance ceremony, as it does every year, at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 9/11 Memorial site at Battleship Cove on September 11.
The ceremony will include a wreath laying, guest speakers, local fire and police honor guards, and a 21-gun salute from the USS Massachusetts’ 5” guns.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be located at the September 11 Memorial at the entrance to Battleship Cove
Westport
Join us as we pay tribute to the 2,977 lives lost, as well as all those whose lives were forever changed by the events of 9/11.
Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:30 AM, Westport Fire Station No. 1, 54 Hix Bridge Road.
At the Statehouse/Boston
A livestream of events at the statehouse will be available at https://www.massfund.org/annual-massachusetts-commemoration
Schedule of Events
• Reading of the Names: 8:30 a.m., State House Steps
• Moment of Silence: 8:46 a.m.
• Commemoration: 9:25 a.m., State House Chambers, will feature a Massachusetts Remembers video montage of family members and friends sharing their memories of loved ones lost in the 9/11 attacks; and the presentation of the Madeline “Amy’ Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery.
• Family & Guests Luncheon, State House Hall of Flags: 11:15 a.m.
• Student Roundtable, Senate Reading Room (students, chaperones and speakers only): 11:15 a.m.
• Wreath Laying at the Massachusetts 9/11 Memorial, Boston Public Garden: 1 p.m.
Speakers/Performers
Maj. Gen. Jonathan Treacy, who led the 101st FS and initial air defense response to 9/11 attacks, to give 25th anniversary keynote
9/11 family members will also speak during the Commemoration in the State House Chambers, including:
Teresa Mathai and Christie Coombs, Mass 9/11 Fund Co-Founders, on the evolution of the Mass 9/11 Fund and the National Day of Service.
Pat Bavis, Mass 9/11 Fund Education Chair, will give an overview of the new PBSLearning Media Education Resources launched across the nation this spring that are now available to 17 million students.
Laura Ogonowski, daughter of American Airlines Flight 11 Pilot John Ogonowski, will discuss memorials and remembrance.
215th Army Band, Isabella Koutny, Boston Symphony Orchestra scheduled to perform
This year, a soldier from the 215th Army Band, headquartered in Fall River, will perform the National Anthem at the beginning of the Name Reading Ceremony on the State House Steps. The 215th’s Windwood Quintet will also perform prior to the Name Reading on the State House Lawn.
Isabella Koutny, the granddaughter of Marie Pappalardo, who perished in the terrorist attacks, will perform during the Commemoration in the State House Chambers. She will be accompanied this year by musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
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