Rhode Island Honors 25 Years Since 9/11

On Friday, September 11, 2026, the entire state will take a quiet moment to remember the 2,977 souls lost on that fateful day in 2001, as well as the countless first‑responders who still bear the physical and emotional scars.

Of course, the biggest gatherings will happen at the three national sites—New York City’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. But here in Rhode Island we’ve lined up a handful of smaller, heartfelt ceremonies that let neighbors and friends share in the reflection.

West Warwick – 9/11 Observance & Remembrance Ceremony
Hosted at the town’s municipal center, this service will feature a reading of the victims’ names, a moment of silence, and remarks from local officials. A small choir will sing “Amazing Grace,” and a wreath will be placed on a replica steel beam—a nod to the national “Steel Across America” tour.

Providence – 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Rhode Island College
Students, faculty and community members will gather on the campus quad. A veteran from the Rhode Island National Guard will speak, and a survivor of the attacks will share a brief, moving testimony. The ceremony ends with the lighting of a candle for each of the 2,977 victims.

East Providence – 9/11 25th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony
Held at the historic East Providence High School auditorium, the program includes a reading of the names of the 2,977 victims plus the six people who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Local firefighters will stand in honor, and a moment of applause is planned for the living heroes who still serve.

Exeter – Rhode Island Firefighters Memorial at the State Fire Academy
The academy will open its doors for a solemn tribute to the fire crews who rushed into the towers that day. A plaque bearing the names of fallen Rhode Island firefighters will be unveiled, and the crowd will watch a short video about the “Tunnel to Towers” foundation’s ongoing work.

West Greenwich – September 11th 25‑Year Remembrance Ceremony
Set against the backdrop of the town’s historic church, this gathering will feature a “bell of remembrance” that rings 2,977 times, one for each victim. A local choir will perform a medley of songs, and a silent walk around the churchyard will give attendees a chance to reflect personally.

It’s worth noting that the toll from the attacks keeps rising. Thousands of survivors, cleanup workers and nearby residents have since been diagnosed with cancers and other illnesses linked to the toxic dust that lingered after the towers fell. That reality adds an extra layer of urgency to the day’s prayers.

Nationally, former presidents—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton—are expected at the New York memorial, while Vice President JD Vance will represent the current administration. The evening’s Tribute in Light will flash twin beams across the New York skyline, streamed live for anyone who can’t make it in person.

In Rhode Island, the hope is simple: to come together, say the names, light a candle, and honor the brave men and women who answered the call, even when it meant never coming home.