KAYSVILLE—Saturday, Sept. 11 marks the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in history that killed nearly 3,000 people, including first responders, when two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York and the building collapsed. Another plane, hijacked by terrorists, hit the Pentagon and a fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control of the flight. 

Among those killed were Kaysville residents Mary Alice Wahlstrom and her daughter Carolyn Beug who were aboard American Airlines flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center. Brady Howell, who also had ties to Davis County was killed in the strike at the Pentagon. 

In an effort to honor those who lost their lives, a 9/11 memorial was constructed at the Utah State University Botanical Garden Center in Kaysville and dedicated in 2013. The bronze statue of a firefighter holding a little girl also honors those military service members from Utah who have died since that day in 2001. The memorial includes plaques with their names as well as art and literature created by children.

“The purpose of this memorial is to not only remember the tragedy of 9/11, but to remember that each of us, every day, has the responsibility of respecting life and doing what we can by interacting with our fellow man in ways that lift and not destroy,” said sculptor Angela Johnson in a Clipper article.

Fundraising for the memorial started about a year after 9/11. Margaret Wahlstrom, whose mother-in-law and sister-in-law were killed in the attacks, was one of the project organizers. Davis County Youth of Promise collected donations and held fundraisers to help pay for the memorial.   

Cities throughout Davis County are holding a Day of Service for community members to come together to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Farmington City will also hold a flag ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. at Forbush Park, 100 S. Main Street followed by scheduled service projects in Centerville and Farmington.

For more information about the Day of Service visit JustServe.com. The USU Botanical Center is located at 920 S. 50 W. in Kaysville.