Several hundred people, including many active duty and retired military personnel, attended a ceremony at Gloucester High School on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Gloucester High School’s ROTC cadet corps hosted the ceremony with dignity and a stirring display of the colors, the men’s ensemble of First Presbyterian Church gave a moving rendition of "God Bless America," and the pastors of several Gloucester churches spoke meaningfully of the event that changed the nation. The worship band of Lighthouse Worship Center closed the program by singing "God Bless the USA."

The Rev. Sven vanBaars of Abingdon Episcopal Church recalled the policemen and firefighters who "did their duty until the towers came crashing down" and the ordinary citizens who rushed to help by standing in line at blood banks and giving money to help survivors and their friends recover.

"For these first,...