Airport Commemorations of the 5-Year Anniversary of 9/11

The following is a summary of what ACI-NA member airports did to commemorate the 5-year anniversary of 9/11.

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

The TSA observed a moment of silence at 8:46am. All passenger and baggage screening at security checkpoints and under the terminals were suspended for the duration. Appropriate signage was arranged in the public areas to inform passengers as to what was happening. The TSA Federal Security Director (General  Mike Aguilllar), joined by Chairman Craver, Thella Bowens and Chief  San Filippo (HPD) gathered with TSA screening officers, HPD (officers and dispatch), Airport Firefighters, Paramedics, AED administrators, ATO's  and Airline reps to observe a moment of silence in front of T2E, on the hardscape across the street  from the flag pole. The 9/11 memorial plaque in front of the flag had wreaths and taps were sounded.

Salt Lake City International Airport

The TSA sponsored a minute of silence twice during the day. Operations at the checkpoints ceased in the morning and afternoon for one minute. An overhead announcement explained why. TSA employees wore wristbands and the airport police had black stripes across their badges.

Norfolk Airport Authority

Norfolk recognized a moment of silence at 8:46am with the following announced through the public address system: "8:46 a.m. on Sept.11, marks the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attack in which more than 3,000 of our countrymen died. TSA employees will close checkpoint and baggage screening operations for one minute and we invite you to join them and us in this silent minute of reflection and remembrance. Thank you and God Bless America."

Tampa International Airport

The airlines and TSA observed the Moment of Silence. A broadcast was distributed throughout the terminal and all airside buildings (gate areas).

Halifax International Airport

Halifax had a ceremony with Canadian and US officials which was hosted by Peter MacKay, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs and special guests U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins.

Austin Bergstrom International Airport

Austin hung flags and TSA produced commemorative signs at checkpoints. A moment of silence was observed at 8:46 a.m.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

The TSA conducted a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. with U.S. flags flying at the checkpoints. The federal security director read a message over the public address system. The airport Fire Department holds a memorial service each year at 6 a.m. at a site near the fire station.

Lafayette Regional Airport

Lafayette posted a memorial sign and observed a moment of silence tonight at its regular airport board meeting. Additionally, TSA and the airport observed a moment of silence at 08: 46 am.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Atlanta collaborated with the TSA for a moment of silence at the checkpoint. There was also a 9/11-related press conference on the curb at AirTran's ticketing counters. The airport Chaplain said a word of prayer in the chapels.

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority

The Airport Authority met and observed a moment of silence.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

DFW International Airport employees and members of the Airport community gathered for a 5-year anniversary ceremony at Founder's Plaza on the southeast side of the airfield. An honorary flyover by Careflite began the ceremony, which was followed by a prayer and the singing of the National Anthem. Those attending will see flags lower to half-staff, participate in a moment of reflection, and hear the singing of "God Bless America."

Fort Wayne Airport

Fort Wayne conducted an airport-wide moment of silence in conjunction with the local TSA as 8:46am and at noon. In addition, the airport displayed "we will never forget" posters throughout the terminal.

Tucson Airport Authority

The local TSA at Tucson showed a commemorative video to any airport employees interested in attending.

Houston Airport System

Houston observed a moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. (Central time of first plane hitting WTC) and played the National Anthem at both Bush IAH and Hobby Airports.

John Wayne Airport

In conjunction with local TSA, John Wayne Airport p "we will never forget" posters at the security checkpoints starting tomorrow. In addition, the Airport Police read an announcement over the PA system at 8:46 a.m. asking for a moment of silence in the terminal. Also, as part of the County of Orange, the airport flew its flag at half-staff.

Louisville Regional Airport

In light of the intense media coverage of the anniversary, coupled with heightened security due to the recent terrorist threats, and the recent Comair crash in nearby Lexington, Louisville chose to be low key in its commemoration at the airport and support the citywide commemoration which includes the mayor dedicating a new city EOC in honor of those who died and those who tried to save them on 9/11. A moment of silence was followed by the National Anthem at 8:46 am.

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Airport director Morton V. Plumb Jr. made an airport-wide announcement which was followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Broward County Aviation Department held a Solemn Ceremony of Remembrance honoring those who perished. Representatives from Broward County Fire Rescue, the Broward County Sheriff's Office, the TSA, American Airlines & United Airlines were be present. Chaplain Rick Braswell with the Broward County Sheriff's Office lead a moment of silence.

Guam

Guam held a joint 5th Anniversary Commemoration ceremony. They unveiled a commemorative mural above the security checkpoint lanes which will serve to remind travelers of why we have these safety measures in place, and to acknowledge those who sacrifice and protect our freedom to travel the skies.

 The airport also coordinated with the Governor's office to observe an island wide moment of silence and have worked with our local TSA office to have three of their officers recite their poem entitled "One".

Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia helds its annual ceremony 1:00 pm. Participants were welcomed by Charles J. Isdell, Director of Aviation, remarks by Katrina Banks, Stakeholder Manager, Transportation Security Administration, Lowering of American, City and State Flags by Philadelphia Police officers and Philadelphia Firefighters, Moment of Silence, and raising of the Flags and Playing of the National Anthem.

Albany International Airport

At 8:46 a.m., representatives of American Eagle and United Airlines carried a wreath from the terminal to the 9/11 monument located opposite the terminal. The wreath was placed at the monument and then the airport observed a moment of silence.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Gerald R. Ford observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. and hung related posters throughout the passenger terminal.

Manchester ? Boston Regional Airport

Manchester ? Boston Regional Airport conducted a moment of silence within the terminal at 8:46 am.

Tallahassee Regional Airport

Tallahassee conducted a moment of silence within the terminal at 8:46 am.

Will Rogers World Airport

Will Rogers World Airport, observed a moment of silence within the terminal at 8:46 am.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit conducted an airport-wide moment of silence at 8:46 am. An announcement was made through the public address system and all passenger screenings and check-ins were halted for 30 seconds.

Chicago Airport System

The Chicago Airport System (Chicago O'Hare and Chicago Midway International Airports) observed a moment of silence at 7:46 am CST. They coordinated efforts with the TSA, its airline partners and concessions. A recorded message played throughout the terminals asking passengers to pause for a moment of silence. The TSA temporarily suspended passenger and baggage screening for one minute.

Gainesville Regional Airport

The Deputy Federal Security Director at Gainesville Regional Airport made an announcement at 8:40 a.m. letting everyone know that there will be a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m.

McGhee Tyson Airport

Knoxville placed 50 peace lilies (one for each state) in the airport's stream (focal point of the terminal building) along with commemoration signs for the entire month of September. The airport has done this every year in silent remembrance of the day. The airport also observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Lambert St. Louis International Airport

The TSA and the airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am. There was also a memorial service in honor of the victims at 11:00 am at the St. Louis Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy which is located on the baggage claim level near exit MT11.

Mineta San Jose International Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at 5:46 am PST

Portland International Airport

Portland International Airport observed a moment of silence and had a retrospective article on 9/11 in its employee newsletter.

Gander International Airport

The airport hosted the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) all day on Monday Sept 11/06. They broadcast the National News and interviewed people from the area who had a roll in the renounce to 9/11. Also, the US Ambassador to Canada was on hand to attend a special 9/11 Church Service on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The airport also hosted a special reception for the Ambassador on Sept. 13.

Port Columbus International Airport

Port Columbus announced a moment of silence over the PA system at 8:46 am and 4:46 pm. The TSA created a display at each CTX (4), Concourse (3), TSA-CMH Break Room and Private Screening Room. They worse wristbands inscribed with, "We Will Never Forget" and placed black tape over their TSA Badge.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Minneapolis lowered the flag at its corporate headquarters to half-staff.

Melbourne International Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

South New Jersey Transportation Authority

In cooperation with local TSA staff, the South New Jersey Transportation Authority hung "Honor" flags near the TSA admin area and another "honor" flag in/around our baggage area. The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Sacramento County Regional Airport Authority

The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Pensacola Regional Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am. The FSD also made an announcement over the PA system

Charleston International Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at 8:46 am.

Wichita Mid-Continent Airport

Local TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and staff honored those fallen during the tragic 9-11 terrorist attacks. Marinella Hemenway, widow of ET1 Ronald Hemenway who lost his life in the Pentagon attack, was the guest speaker.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Pres. Bush and his wife Laura participated in a ceremony on Sunday. The Port Authority conducted the annual reading of the names. Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia, Vice Chairman Charles A. Gargano and Executive Director Kenneth J. Ringler Jr. rang the closing bell at The NASDAQ Stock Market in Times Square on Monday, Sept.11, to honor the 84 Port Authority employees lost five years ago in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.

Chairman Coscia, Vice Chairman Gargano and Executive Director Ringler participated in the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the World Trade Center site on Monday morning. They also will join with New York Governor George E. Pataki, New Jersey Governor Jon. S. Corzine and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at the Port Authority's 9/11 Interfaith Service at St. Peter's Church at 2 p.m. Port Authority staff was been asked to observe moments of silence to mark the times when the planes struck the Twin Towers – 8:46 a.m. and 9:03 a.m.

Williams Gateway Airport Authority

Williams Gateway Airport Authority observed a moment of silence at the Passenger Terminal Flag Pole (which has been dedicated with a plaque to those who lost their lives on 9-11). Each employee received a patriotic ribbon to wear as well.

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, the TSA and the airlines serving Baton Rouge (American, Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines) observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. TSA officials had signage posted just prior to the airport's security checkpoint for public information.

Los Angeles World Airports

Officials at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) commemorated the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, with the relighting of the LAX Pylons on Sunday, Sept. 10; and a "Circle of Unity" and wreath-laying ceremonies on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Ottawa International Airport

Ottawa held a moment of silence at 8:46; it was preceded by an announcement on the public address system in both English and French, inviting passengers and staff to participate.

 John Wayne Airport

The airport observed a moment of silence at both the eastern and pacific timeframes this morning.