Rhode Island remembers victims of 9/11

Providence, R.I. (WPRI) - Memorial services were being held all over Southern New England Friday, to remember the victims of the September 11 terror attacks.

At the State House, Governor Don Carcieri took part in a wreath laying ceremony, along with relatives of Amy Jarrett.  Jarrett was a 28-year-old flight attendent from North Smithfield who was killed when United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the World Trade Center.

Jarrett's nieces and nephews recited the Pledge of Allegiance, in memory of their aunt.  Her mother joined Governor Carcieri in laying the memorial wreath.

Relatives were also on-hand to remember another local victim, Carol Bouchard of Warwick.   She was on her way to Las Vegas when American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center.

Her brother, Richard Bellefemine, tells us it's important for Rhode Islanders not to forget what happened that dark day.

"We need to remember, we can never forget," Bellefine tells Eyewitness News.  "I'd like to see more flags flying and more people remembering."

Also Friday, Providence firefighters held their own remembrance at the 9/11 memorial outside the Providence Public Safety Complex, to pay tribute to their fellow emergency responders who died while responding to the attacks.

346 firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel  were killed while responding to the attack sites on September 11, 2001.

A private ceremony was held at the Naval War College in Newport, to honor three students and seven alumni who were killed in the attack on the Pentagon. 

Among them, Capt. Gerald Deconto of Sandwich, Massachusetts.  His family took part in Friday's ceremonies at the Naval War College.

At Battleship Cove in Fall River, a wreath was cast off the deck of the U.S.S. Massachusetts, followed by a tolling of bells for the victims.

And volunteers gathered to clean the "Wall of Hope" in Waterplace Park in Providence Friday; a collection of more than ten thousand, hand-painted tiles, which were installed on the one-year anniversary of the attacks.

Click here to learn more about the local victims of the September 11th attacks.