MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake firefighters, paramedics, officers, city officials and citizens bowed their heads in silence Thursday morning to honor Patriot Day.

People met at Civic Center Park at 5:46 a.m. at the Sept. 11, 2001, memorial site. The time was chosen because it was when the first firefighters and police officers were dispatched to the World Trade Center towers in New York after the first airplane struck the buildings.

Firefighters and law enforcement attended the ceremony in full uniform.

"It's a day that kind of holds a special place," Fire Chief Tom Taylor told the crowd of more than 50 people. "Today is Sept. 11. Our country experienced a renewal of pride in patriotism."

He said sometimes people have a tendency to forget tragedies such as what took place on Sept. 11, 2001. People gathered in Moses Lake to remember those who sacrificed their lives to save others.

"We have a duty to keep those memories alive," Taylor said. "We cannot allow that memory to fade. Never forget means never forget."

Police Chief Dean Mitchell said he remembers visiting a law enforcement memorial site where the names of thousands of police officers who died in the line of duty are inscribed. He said Patriot Day is not only about remembering the tragedy, but also about the police officers and firefighters who died trying to protect the "thin blue line."

Sept. 11, 2001, gives meaning to the thin blue line, he said. It symbolizes law enforcement striving to maintain justice and protect society.

A bell placed on a podium in front of the memorial was rung by a firefighter. The ringing was called the "four fives" traditionally used to indicate a death of someone in the line of duty. The bell was rung indicating those deaths but was also to remember the number of lives saved as a result of their sacrifice.

Assistant Fire Chief Brett Bastian directed the honor guard to lower the American flag at half-mast. Members of the Moses Lake Fire Department, Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Fire District No. 5 saluted the flag as it was lowered.

On Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m. EDT, Flight 11 was intentionally flown into the north tower at the World Trade Center in New York. At 9:03 a.m. EDT, Flight 175 was intentionally flown into the south tower.

At 9:43 a.m. EDT, Flight 77 was intentionally flown into the Pentagon. At 10 a.m. EDT, Flight 93 was headed toward Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The crew onboard the final flight attempted to overpower al-Qaida hijackers onboard the plane.

More than 2,000 people died including airplane passengers, firefighters, law enforcement, volunteers and civilians.

On Dec. 18, 2001, U.S. Congress passed the law designating Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.