Commemorating 9/11's 10th Anniversary in Windsor

Ten years ago tomorrow, America was shook to its core. Coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a hijacked plane that never made it to its intended target resulted in the loss of close to 3,000 American lives.

This weekend, Americans, wherever they may be, are commemorating the tragic events that have come to define an entire generation.

Throughout Windsor, residents, town officials and others will do the same.

Here are a few ceremonies and memorials in town that you may want to visit while paying your respects:

• Hayden Station Firehouse - 10 a.m., Sat., Sept. 10
  • The firehouse has undergone an extensive renovation and will hold an open house, complete with a short ceremony and tours for the public. The firehouse, located on the corner of Basswood and Pond Roads, now houses a piece of the World Trade Center.

• Margaret Orloske Memorial
  • There is a living memorial dedicated to Margaret Quinn Orloske in the Settlement Hill Development, located off of Rt. 159. . She commuted about five hours each day to and from Manhattan where she worked on the 96th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center. Her memorial is open to the public. There is also a memorial there dedicated to all who lost their lives in the attacks, including first responders.

• Windsor High School Memorial
  • The result of a collaborative effort between Windsor High School students and Windsor artist Lon Pelton, a monument cut from the bottoms of two oil drums depict the sillouette of the towers as they stood before Sept. 11, 2001. Titled "To Those Who Were," the memorial is located in the courtyard of the high school. The memorial is open to the public.

• 9/11 Walk of Light - 7 p.m., Sept. 11
  • Nearly 3,000 paper bags, which will serve as luminaries, have been decorated with the name of the victims of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The bags will be lit on the Town Green Sunday night. A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., and members of the public will be able to walk to town green and look at the luminary bags that line the green until 9 p.m. Town Hall will also be illuminated in red, white and blue. This event is free and open to the public.