BOSTON (WHDH) -- Thousands of Americans remember that fateful September morning. Flags were raised and lowered at the State House, followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

A wreath was placed in the Public Garden, one of a number of ways the city stood in solidarity with those impacted 11 years ago.

“It’s very heart wrenching,” said Maureen Dewan Gilligan, who lost her brother on Sept. 11, 2001. “We don’t think about them just today because today is Sept. 11. We think about them every day. Today just makes it that much harder.”

“For a lot of the 9/11 families from Massachusetts, this is all they have as far as a place to come to reflect and so many people have -- most people, when the lose somebody they have a cemetery they can go to…9/11 families don’t,” said Christie Coombs, who lost her husband on Sept. 11, 2001.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino placed a wreath of ivory flowers on the Sept. 11 memorial in the Public Garden. Officials and family members of those lost walked to the steps of the State House.

“In the rising of the sun and in it’s going down, we remember them. In the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter, we remember them. In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them,” said Larry Hunt who lost his son, Billy, on September 11th.

They also rang bells and read the names of the victims with Massachusetts ties. There are 211 in all. There were many family members of victims present as well as officials. Those in attendance included Governor Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Murray and U.S. Senator Scott Brown.

Moments of silence were also observed at Logan Airport, where the two planes that flew into the World Trade Center departed from. The spirit of giving was present at Fenway Park, where the Red Cross hosted their annual Day of Remembrance blood drive.

Gov. Patrick tweeted a statement, “The anniversary of the September 11, 2001 tragedies remind us of the strength of the American spirit. We continue to pray for the families & friends of the individuals who lost their lives on that tragic day. I encourage all of us to use this anniversary as an opportunity to reaffirm our values, give back to our community and serve those in need.”