PHOENIX — Editor's note: Scroll down to find the livestreams from Phoenix and Tempe.
It has been nineteen years since 2,977 people were killed and thousands more were injured in the September, 11, 2001, attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
Every year since, we take a moment to remember the people whose lives were taken from them in the terrorist attacks that shook our nation.
But this year's commemoration will look very different, both in Arizona and across the United States, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Exchange Club of Tempe canceled the Healing Field, a unique tribute where nearly 3,000 flags are assembled, "to protect the health of the community and volunteers due to COVID-19."
Instead, a virtual tribute took Friday with remarks from city leaders and the reading of the names of those who died that day.
You can watch it on Facebook below.
City of Phoenix officials also held its 19th Annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony on Friday.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Vice Mayor Betty Guardado, Councilman Michael Nowakowski, Chair of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Councilwoman Debra Stark, Police Chief Jeri Williams, Fire Chief Kara Kalkbrenner and fire and police honor guards participated.
You can watch it live on Facebook beginning at 9 a.m. Arizona time.
Gov. Doug Ducey also ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings on Friday to honor the victims.
Ducey said in a statement that the U.S. must resolve to never forget the victims and their families and that Arizona is grateful to all the first responders.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City is also holding a ceremony featuring recorded readings of victims' names made by family members.
But even the group that successfully worked to establish Sept. 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance said it wants everyone to honor the victims at home this year.
9/11 Day announced last week that it launched a new initiative in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, “9/11 Day At Home.”
Anyone who wants to recognize and honor the victims can engage in a wide range of charitable activities virtually, and from the safety of their homes, at 911Day.org.