Law enforcement officers, first responders and other members of the community gathered at Horseshoe Park on the New Mexico State University Campus, Wednesday, to commemorate the devastating terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Almost 3,000 people were killed in the attack when 19 Al Qaeda militants hijacked four airplanes. Two of the planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, while one of them crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Shankesville, Pennsylvania.
Soon after the attack, U.S. President George W. Bush sought out initiatives to combat the then newly coined "war on terror." Since, the United States has been fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On the 18th anniversary, the city of Las Cruces and New Mexico State University partnered to host a memorial event.