Photo by Al Boucher A procession of color guards and first-responder representatives march into Hudson's 9/11 Memorial at Benson Park on Saturday at the start of the ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the attacks. (Photo by Al Boucher)

Hundreds of men and women in formal dress uniforms gathered at memorial monuments, parks, and fire and police stations across the region Saturday, standing silently at attention as the clock ticked toward the precise minute the first in a series of terrorist attacks took place on the crisp, sunny morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001.

In many cases, the schedules for the ceremonies large and small, from the full-scale observances in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. to thousands of small-town, community gatherings across rural America, were designed to coincide with the time the first hijacked airliner struck the north tower — 8:46 a.m. — 20 years ago to the minute.

At Nashua Fire Rescue’s Station 4, the department’s headquarters on East Hollis Street, Capt. Mark Wholey presided as master of ceremonies over a joint observance by NFR and the Nashua Police Department.

“It was 10 years ago we dedicated this incredible memorial,” Wholey said, referring to the granite monument that the department built using a 640-pound steel beam that was once part of one of the Twin Towers.

Many such segments of beams that were pulled from the rubble were saved and later gifted to cities and towns nationwide.

Photo by Al Boucher Representatives of the various branches of the military line up at the start of Hudson's 20th anniversary observance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Al Boucher)

Hudson’s 911 Memorial at Benson Park also received a beam segment, which was installed vertically and today centerpieces the roughly one-acre memorial.

In Nashua, Mayor Jim Donchess spoke briefly, as did NFR Chief Brian Rhodes and Deputy Police Chief James Testaverde.

“We vowed we’d never forget … and 20 years later, we remember,” Testaverde said.

Scores of visitors ringed the Station 4 parking lot to watch the ceremonies, which also included rifle salutes and featured NFR Captain Gordon Wilson playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

In Hudson, roughly 100 visitors encircled the 911 Memorial to take in the ceremonies and listen to the words of town officials and first-responders.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP With a ceremonial wreath and part of the 9/11 memorial monument in front of him, Nashua Fire Rescue Chief Brian Rhodes addresses attendees and participants in Saturday's 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Nashua was one of several area towns that held observances. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

Merrimack, meanwhile, held its observance at Abbie Griffin Park, during which various speakers paid tribute to military veterans and active-duty personnel.

The many people who continue to suffer the effects of the terrorist attacks in one way or another — including those who continue to await positive identification of a family member or others close to them some 20 years later — were mentioned by Police Chief Brian Levesque during his remarks.

“To this day, officials are still working tirelessly to identify victims,” Levesque said. “We’re still putting the pieces together,” he added, noting also that two victims were just identified a week or so ago.

“Remembering 9/11 — A Community Gathering” was the theme of Milford’s observance on Saturday, which culminated with the ringing of the ceremonial Paul Revere bell at 8:46 a.m.

The observance, organized by representatives of the town’s emergency services departments and members of the Milford Rotary Club, included songs by the Milford High School Singers, led by the classic peace anthem, “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”

Photo by Al Boucher Visitors to Saturday's 20th anniversary observance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks spend a moment viewing the steel beam that's the centerpiece of the 9/11 Memorial at Benson Park. (Photo by Al Boucher)

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Nashua Fire Rescue Capt. Gordon Wilson plays "Amazing Grace" during Nashua's observance Saturday of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Nashua firefighters and police officers stand at attention during a rifle salute that was part of Saturday's observance ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In front of them is the city's 9/11 Memorial monument, which lists the times the planes hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, and the one that crashed in Pennsylvania. The symbolic helmet at center bears the number 343--the number of FDNY firefighters who died in the line of duty that day. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

Photo by Al Boucher Participants in Hudson's 20th anniversary observance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks listen to firefighter Mike Armand sing during Saturday's program at the 9/11 Memorial at Benson Park. (Photo by Al Boucher)