Candlelight Vigil, Memorial Service Marks 12th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

On the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Tewksbury residents gathered at the 9/11 memorial to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, including two Tewksbury residents. 

Residents participated in a candlelight vigil to honor the two, Peter Gay and Peter Hashem, who both died aboard American Airlines Flight 11.

At the memorial service, Larissa Gay, Peter Gay's daughter, offered thoughts on how she remembers her father and the other victims of the attacks 12 years later. 

"Every year I stand before you I'm more mature, and I realize people will forget, but my heart never will," Gay said. "My father as well as every other victim that day will never cease to exist in every person's heart that they touched. That is something I am confident in, and it gives me hope." 

Signer Michael Lally performed the national anthem along with the Tewksbury Memorial High School Band, and the Tewksbury Interfaith Choir performed two songs.

Tewksbury Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, along with Scoutmaster Kenneth Poirier, led the memorial service in the pledge of allegiance.

Members of the Tewksbury Fire Department and Tewksbury Police Department provided the presentation of colors and honor guard. 

Tewksbury 9-11 Memorial Board of Directors President Robert Fowler reminded those gathered that the Tewksbury 9-11 Memorial belonged to all Tewksbury residents.

"The manner in which we try to keep the memorial is so that every Tewksbury resident is proud of it, and that every person that visits it is proud of it," Fowler said. 

Check out our photos and video from the September 11 memorial service in Tewksbury.