Nation Keeps Promise to Never Forget

From sea to shining sea, memorial ceremonies are taking place today to commemorate the terrorist attacks that happened eight years ago. Sept. 11 has become another day in the nation's history that we will never forget.

Simple services will be counted in the hundreds, like East Naples and North Naples Fire Rescue's 30-minute ceremony in Florida featuring the Pledge of Allegiance lead by elementary students, the National Anthem and a rendition of "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes. And, of course, there will be the big ceremonies, like the one at the Pentagon with President Obama speaking.

Big, or small, singularly, or in groups, Americans will pause today and pay respects to the men and women responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Countless ceremonies will be hosted today across the country encompassing everything from motorcycle memorial rides, to somber services at each of the three sacred sites. Music and song, dove releases, peace camps, candles and prayers, spoken words and simple acts of kindness, like a free meal, will all be offered as heart-felt remembrances. All will be done to remember the 2,993 souls who perished on that fateful day, including more than 400 public servants in New York City.

In Meadville, Pa., members of the newly formed Meadville Patriot Action Committee will host a Memorial Day-style service in the community's Diamond Park. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will present Colors, a soloist will sing "God Bless America," a minister will give an invocation and three people will give patriotic speeches. It will be a simple hour-long ceremony.

Some 2,500 miles away, in Fresno, Calif., Mayor Ashley Swearengin will issue a proclamation recognizing local volunteers in a "Day of Service and Remembrance." The ceremony will include lowering of the flag to half-staff and a wreath procession with a motor escort.

In Sacramento, Calif., 343 firefighters from the region will climb 110 flights of stairs at the Renaissance Tower in downtown Sacramento. The climb, which will begin at 8 a.m., will serve as a memorial tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who died that day.

Firefighters in Anderson, Ind., are using the occasion to dedicate their county rescue house -- a building to be used for temporary housing for families displaced by fire. The members of Anderson Fire Station 4 have so far raised about $40,000 toward the project, selling pulled pork and hosting dances and selling donated items at auctions.

During the dedication, a ceremony will be conducted to honor police and firefighters who died in the attacks in New York City. Fire chiefs from around the county are expected to attend.

A very different sort of remembrance is being planned by a Pensacola, Fla., man. Danny Phillips has converted his Ford pickup truck into a rolling memorial to 343 responders who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Murals cover the vehicle from nose to tail gate, all depicting firefighting themes as well as the image of the towers at the height of the attack.

Phillips is planning to have his truck on display as FDNY's newest fire boat, christened 343, is launched today.

"The truck is a work in progress as I am continually adding to it," Phillips said. "It's actually a double tribute as the interior is all Pearl Harbor."

Even his official, state-issued license plates are part of the commemoration. They say "NEV 4GIT."

Another Florida man in Manatee County has decided to never forget by hosting an annual motorcycle ride on Sept. 11.

Two years ago Steve Bonanno, a life-long motorcycle buff, wanted to do something unique for the anniversary. So, he contacted about a dozen friends and asked them to join him and his wife, Lee Ann, for a memorial bike ride. More than 130 bikers showed up, and most he didn't even know.

Last year Bonanno, who moved to Florida two months before the attacks, was joined by more than 500 bikers. Today, he's expecting 1,000 to attend the third annual ride.