By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Today, we as Americans observe Patriot Day, which is also known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

This began in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks at the World Trade Centers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC and when a plane went down in Pennsylvania after people on board fought back against the hijackers.

Locally, there will be a program at 2 p.m. at the Chapel at Evenglow Lodge with special guest speaker Pontiac Fire Chief Scott Runyon.

Additionally, people can observe a moment of silence to correspond with the times of the attacks, beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, which is the time the first plane struck the first tower of the World Trade Center that fateful day.