Shanksville, Somerset County – Today marks 16 years since the September 11th terrorist attacks, and folks in our area are gathering together to remember the ones who lost their lives in that tragedy.

Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke spoke at the 16th annual observance.

The ceremony got underway at 9:45 a.m. That time was chosen to commemorate the time period in which the passengers and crew took action to fight back against the terrorists who hijacked the plane, ultimately preventing an attack on the nation’s Capitol.

At 10:03 a.m., the moment the plane crashed, the names of the passengers and crew members were read.