A small gathering of people met at Memorial Park at 9 a.m. for a remembrance ceremony of the lives lost and affected by the events on Sept. 11, 2001.

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Marler led the ceremony dressed in full regalia, flanked by EMS, Sheriff’s officers, Fire and Rescue, and Town and County council members.

Local pastor Archie Brooks led a prayer after the Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner, and remarked that the crowd of those attending the memorial seems to get thinner year by year.

“Friends, we need to remember, and we must not forget,” Brooks said.

Chief Marler read the poem “I Stare in Total Disbelief” before turning the procession over to Town Councilmember Barbara Starr, who spoke on behalf of Mayor Carrie Lacher.

Bells were rung in remembrance of fallen firefighters, and Taps was played, giving the bright, sunny morning a somber feeling to those listening and remembering the nearly 3,000 civilians, firefighters, police officers and military personnel who died in the attacks.