Sandy's Promenade Park filled with residents and first responders on Friday, Sept. 11, for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mayor Monica Zoltanski, Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie and Police Chief Jeff Nigbur spoke at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony at the Utah Healing Field. More than 3,000 American flags stood in rows across the park's green fields, each carrying the name and a brief biography of someone killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

ABC4 reported that McConaghie spoke of gathering "in a field of flags" to "pause to remember a day that changed America forever."

Zoltanski said the ceremony honored those killed in the 2001 attacks along with first responders and military members who have died in the line of duty since. She encouraged residents to visit the display before it closes.

A separate section of the park, the Utah Fallen Field, displays more than 300 flags representing Utah officers, first responders and K-9 officers killed in the line of duty, according to the Healing Field organization.

A bagpiper also performed.

A 25-year tradition

The Healing Field began in 2002 as the first display of its kind in the country. It has returned to Promenade Park each September since.

Among the visitors Friday was Linda Crismer, a Fruit Heights resident and retired fourth-grade teacher who has attended every year since the display began. Crismer told ABC4 she was getting ready for school on Sept. 11, 2001, when she heard the news.

"We come to remember," Crismer said. "To honor the people who passed away that day and to hope that it never happens again."

Crismer brought her dog Atos, a retired explosive-detection K-9 who spent eight years working in Kuwait before finding a home with her family. Though retired, Atos still assists local agencies with detection work on occasion.

Crismer said the day after the attacks stood out in her memory for the unity it produced. She recalled how patriotic the country felt on Sept. 12, 2001.

As we reported Thursday, Sandy ordered flags to half-staff for the anniversary. The Healing Field display opened Thursday, Sept. 10, and Sandy City said the flags will remain through Monday at 6 p.m.