VIDEO: Avon Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

The tragedy of 9/11 affects everyone in a different way.

On Sunday, the Avon community took a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first hijacked plane hit the north tower on Sept. 11, 2001, to reflect on the firefighers, police officers, Avon native Amy Toyen and others who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks.

After Avon police officers and firefighters led the Pledge of Allegiance, Jon Widing, fire and police chaplain, said a firefighter's prayer, and a bagpiper from the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums played "Amazing Grace" outside the fire station, attendees headed inside to listen to remarks about 9/11.

Avon Police Officer Susan Kassey read a poem she wrote in 2001 as a tribute to the New York police officers and firefighters who lost their lives responding to the World Trade Center that day. Singers from Sweet Adelines sang as she said the words.

The Avon High School Rhapsody a cappella group sang "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America" between speeches.

Avon Fire Chief Michael Trick, James "Skip" Thomas, retired commissioner of the former Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and Avon firefighter Joe Kuzma gave their reflections on 9/11, as well.

Heather Toyen, whose sister Amy was killed in the north tower on 9/11, attended the memorial service with her boyfriend, Robert Kornfeld, a retired East Hartford police officer. While working at the East Hartford Police Department, he responeded to Ground Zero with a K9 search and rescue unit in September of 2001. He coincidentally worked with the Toyens' cousin and met Heather around two years ago.