Milwaukee held a memorial ceremony in remembrance of the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy along Lake Michigan.

Local and state leaders, military officials and veterans, police and fire department members, and the Milwaukee community honored the victims of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Milwaukee War Memorial Center.

“What was attacked that day was not just the people in the building. What was attacked was all of us,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. “Today we remember, and we honor their sacrifice. Today we remember the first responders going in when other people ran out.”

During the September 11 attacks, 2,996 people were kiIIed, including 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers at the World Trade Center.

“We all remember where we were. We all remember the thought we all had that day, that this changes everything. We need to make sure our young people also remember. New generations are born, and they didn’t witness the tragedy. That’s why we teach history,” said Senator Ron Johnson. “Walking into danger to save their fellow citizens lives, that is America. That is quintessentially American.”