Remembering 9/11 Amid Coronavirus: Services In Reston

RESTON, VA —Over the years, the nation has come together at ceremonies in Reston and other U.S. communities to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

However, as the 19th anniversary of the attacks arrives, ceremonies are likely to look different.

To date, more than 6 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting community leaders to put in place extra precautions and enhanced safety measures at these annual events. While some communities are moving events online, others are canceling events out of an abundance of caution.

Reston is one of many communities not planning ceremonies amid the pandemic.

Fairfax County public safety personnel, however, will be marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Friday morning. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue will be gathering outside the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters for a brief ceremony at 10:15 a.m.

Services held at 9/11 attack sites will also look different this year because of the pandemic. Some have already faced a series of hurdles to go on as planned.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to send state health personnel to New York City to provide supervision during the annual "Tribute in Light" ceremony, a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Cuomo said staff will be on hand to “ensure this year's tribute is held safely.”

Cuomo's announcement came just days after 9/11 Memorial & Museum officials had nixed the 2020 tribute due to coronavirus concerns.

Now, the focus of the New York City commemoration will be reading the names of victims. Family members will not read the names in person this year; instead, recorded readings from the museum’s In Memoriam exhibition will be used for the ceremony.

In Arlington County, Virginia, located just outside Washington, D.C., the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial remains closed to visitors because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Arlington County will be hosting a Virtual Observance of 9/11 Remembrance Friday, at 9:30 a.m. The program will include a presentation of Colors by the Arlington County Public Safety Combined Honor Guard and the laying of a wreath at the Bozman Government Center. The event will be streamed live on the County website, YouTube channel, Facebook Page. Viewers can also watch the ceremony on Comcast channel 1085 or Verizon channel 39.

In Pennsylvania, the National Park Service will hold an abbreviated ceremony at Shanksville. The 20-minute “Moment of Remembrance” is set to begin at 9:45 a.m., without a keynote speaker or musical guests.

The names of each passenger and crew member from Flight 93 will be read aloud with the ringing of the “Bells of Remembrance,” according to the agency’s website.

Both President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plan to visit Shanksville on Friday. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, will attend Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies in New York this year.