More than 160 members of the Great Falls community and surrounding areas turned out for the annual commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The event and vigil was held at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” said retired U.S. Navy Adm. Lou Crenshaw, who was in the Pentagon when it was struck by a hijacked airliner.

Others, he noted, were not so fortunate, including six Great Falls residents who were in the hijacked plans that day: Ann Judge, Lisa Rains, George and Diane Simmons, Barbara Olson and U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Richard Gabriel.

“They are all heroes in my book,” Crenshaw said, urging attendees to be prepared for challenges and “develop a mindset to help others by doing things that put other people first.”

“When you see or are involved in the next crisis, or emergency, or difficult situation – turn toward it,” he said. “Because you have discarded the ‘me-too’ attitude, you have the tools to deal with the problem and you remember the footprints left in the sand by Ann, Lisa, George, Diane, Barbara and Richard. That’s the most fitting way to honor them.”

Among those participating in the event were members of Boy Scout Troop 55 (color guard), Erin Gantt (leading the National Anthem) and Jonathan Torres (presenting Taps). Great Falls Freedom Memorial board president Andy Wilson welcomed dignitaries.