ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Twenty-one years since the attack on Sept. 11, New Yorkers are still working hard to remember and pay tribute to the tragedy. For 20 years, students at Monroe Community College have honored the day with a ceremony that continues to draw community members.

“For the last 20 years, we’ve been able as a college community and as a greater Rochester community to gather here to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and also today to honor the fallen services members who fought in the wars of the aftermath of Sept. 11,” said Eric Wheeler, assistant director of veterans services at Monroe Community College.

The student-led ceremony included student and community speakers who reflected on the history of 9/11 and the lives that were impacted, while also emphasizing the importance of coming together to remember as a community.

“It was our students who said you know a year after the attacks, we need to do something to honor, to remember,” said Kim Mckinsey-Mabry, acting provost and vice president of academic and student services at Monroe Community College. “And ever since that day we continue to see students and alum, make sure that we’re all here together to just recognize what our students organized in honor of the day.”

The on-campus memorial site designed by students in 2002 continues to be a peaceful place for individuals to reflect on the day.

"I think it’s helpful that we have a place what would be considered a place of memory so that we could come collectively and remember those who were lost,” Wheeler said.

Monroe Community College members also paid tribute to fallen heroes who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Perhaps more importantly their families,” said Wheeler. “The parents, the spouses, the children of those who were lost.”

And New Yorkers continue to be strong in their remembering.

“Well because, as New Yorkers, we are strong and we always come together to support each other,” Mckinsey-Mabry said. “I think that is critical. And it’s to let folks outside of here know that we are committed and nothing is going to stop us from continuing to go forward.”