ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Elmira College students, faculty, and community members gathered Wednesday to honor the 2,997 lives lost on September 11th, 2001. The campus placed one flag for each person who died during the attacks, marking the 23rd anniversary of that tragic day. 

One student, Zoe Slater, spoke about the significance of the day: "My grandfather, who was in the food industry, he was trying to meet up with a client in the North Tower and by chance that client couldn't make it that morning and on the way back from the tower itself he had borne witness to the tower being hit, which he could have been right there. It is a matter of God's will that he wasn't," says Slater.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to recognize and remember the first plane that struck the 93rd to 99th floor of 1 World Trade Center.  Under 20 minutes later, Flight 175 hit floors 77 to 85 in the South Towers at 9:03 a.m.

Linda Avery who wasn't alive during the 9/11 attacks, shared why today's anniversary caries deep importance, "To remember all the lives that have been lost, the men, the women and the children who were sacrificed when that plane hit that tower, and as well as not only that, but the sacrifice of the bloodshed that is on these flags, to keep this freedom that we have in the time when everything was at a bad time. It just it was a painful to see and hear these stories," says Avery.

The Elmira Police and Fire Departments also attended the service, standing in solidarity with the community. For first responders today, it holds a deep meaning, especially for those connected colleagues who were first responders from the FDNY.

The tradition at Elmira College has been happening for nine years. 

The memorial at Elmira College serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of 9/11 and the importance of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.