HARTFORD— Governor Ned Lamont announced Tuesday, September 10, that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 men, women, and children who were killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags — including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise — should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

In addition, Governor Lamont announced that the state will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven — informally known by many residents as the Q Bridge — in red, white, and blue lights in recognition of the anniversary beginning at dusk on the evenings of Tuesday, September 10, and Wednesday, September 11. Beacons capable of projecting light nearly six miles into the clear night sky will be lit until 1 am during those nights.

“The impact of one of the greatest tragedies in American history still reverberates today, and out of the sorrow we must forever hold onto the spirit of unity and compassion that bonded all of us as a nation and as a people in the following weeks, months, and years,” Governor Lamont said. “Tragedy struck incredibly close to home. We will forever pay tribute to the innocent lives that were taken all too soon, and honor the heroism of those who gave their lives while rescuing their fellow man, including many first responders. We continue to pray for the men and women of the Armed Forces serving our nation overseas and protecting our freedom, as well as the many military heroes whose lives were lost in the ongoing battle to keep us safe since 2001.”

“The tragedies of 9/11 will be forever etched in the hearts and minds of the American people and we will never forget the innocent lives that were taken, including the first responders who answered the call of duty to help save their fellow man,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “The lives of thousands of American families were changed in a single moment that day and today we share their grief and pray for their healing. May this day continue to serve as a reminder that we must remain committed to each other as people and as Americans.”

The State of Connecticut’s official memorial honoring the victims of the attacks is located on a peninsula at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, where on a clear day the Manhattan skyline can be viewed across the Long Island Sound. It features a memorial stone engraved with the names of the people with ties to Connecticut who were killed in the attacks. The state park was chosen as the site for the memorial because it is the location in the immediate aftermath of the attacks where many people gathered to observe the devastation on Lower Manhattan across the Sound. The site was also used in the following days and weeks as a staging area for Connecticut’s relief efforts to New York City.