ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In Orchard Park, hundreds gathered at what will be the new Highmark Stadium to reflect and remember those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The first American flag raised was at 8:46 a.m. when the first plane strike occurred 23-years-ago. Another one was raised at 9:03 a.m. for the second strike.
Joe Byrne, who is the program director for Turner Construction, helped organize this year's flag raising ceremony at the new stadium. He said he wanted to make sure no one ever forgets what happened on this day.
"We have ages from 18 to 65 plus on the job. And a lot of people it affected differently, but one things that's common is that we are all Americans and we should never forget" Bryne said.
Bryne, like many of the construction workers there, said it was the worst day America as ever seen, but it also brought out the best in all of us.
"At the same time you can hear the fire trucks, police trucks, EMS, flying in the opposite direction towards ground zero," Bryne said.
Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on 9/11.
"I was personally in a work meeting and it came to a stand still. The horrific things that we learned after," Jay Knavel, Orchard Park Fire District Chief, said.
"Everyone lives here and the surrounding areas, I want to make sure they go home today and speak about today at work," Bryne said "We are all Americans. We should never forget."