AUSTIN (KXAN) — Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a day that changed America forever. Several events took place in Central Texas to honor and remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives.

Austin Firefighters Association memorial service

• Time: 7:30 a.m.
• Location: Buford Fire Tower on Lady Bird Lake (Cesar Chavez and Colorado, across from City Hall)

The Austin Firefighters Association hosted their annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony. The honor guard was in attendance. The event also remembered Austin firefighters, active and retired, who died within the last year.

Hill Country Galleria 9/11 memorial stair climb

• Time: 7:46 a.m. 
• Location: 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738 — parking garage A (nearest Dillard’s)

The Bee Cave and Lakeway Police Departments alongside Lake Travis Fire Rescue climbed 110 stories in the parking garage near Dillard’s to pay tribute to the fallen FDNY firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. The public was welcome to attend to support fire and police teams.

American Legion Hunter-Morris Post 911 remembrance ceremony

• Time: 8:00 a.m.
• Location: Veterans Memorial Park in Cedar Park

Cedar Park Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale delivered welcome remarks along with representatives from the Cedar Park Police and Fire Departments and members of the Armed Forces. Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger gave the keynote remarks.

Rotary Club flag tribute

• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Location: 8600 Balcones Club Drive, Austin, TX 78750

Hundreds of flags were placed in the lot across from the Balcones Country Club. The Rotarians from the club were present alongside Austin firefighters. Boy Scout Troop 513 posted the colors.

Circuit of the Americas memorial tower climb (sold out)

• Time: 8:00 a.m.
• Location: Circuit of the Americas observation tower

Circuit of The Americas, in conjunction with local non-profit Samaritan Center, hosted a Memorial Tower Climb. Participants climbed the stairs to the observation deck and back down four times to mimic the number of floors (110) in both Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

The event was organized by Gonzalo Herrera, a graduate of Texas State University and a United States Marine Corps Veteran who completed a combat tour in Afghanistan.

The event was sold out but donations could still be made to the Samaritan Center, a nonprofit organization that provides mental health services for veterans, first responders, military members and their families.

Bagpipes and drums at Texas Capitol

• Time: 12:00 p.m.
• Location: State Capitol Rotunda

The Emergency Service Pipes and Drums Association (ESPADA) played at the Texas State Capitol.

Note: The Austin Fire Department’s annual 9/11 memorial climb will still happen this year, but is closed to the public.

If you know of another 9/11 memorial event open to the public that is not listed, send it to grace.reader@kxan.com to have it added to the list.