On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States was attacked when terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and another in a Pennsylvania field.

In remembrance of the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, Santa Barbara County Fire Department will hold two special ceremonies at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. The public is welcome to attend both ceremonies.

The events will honor the first responders and the nearly 3,000 victims whose lives were lost on 9/11, along with military members who have perished fighting the terrorism behind the attacks.

The public is invited to attend a brief ceremony at any of the 16 Santa Barbara County Fire Department fire stations at 9 a.m., at which time a moment of silence will be observed, followed by the lowering of the flag to half-staff.

A brief ceremony will take place at the Santa Barbara County Fire Department headquarters, 4410 Cathedral Oaks Road. A moment of silence will be observed, followed by the lowering of the flag to half-staff. Fire Chief Mark Hartwig will have brief remarks prior to the conclusion of the ceremony.

— Capt. Daniel Bertucelli for Santa Barbara County Fire Department.