September 11 ceremonies were held across the state on Tuesday in remembrance of the attacks, including in Avon, home to Amy Toyen, who was killed that tragic day 11 years ago.
"We lost a daughter. The town of Avon lost Amy Toyen," Joe Kuzma, an Avon firefighter, said.
Amy was 24 years-old when she died. She worked for Thomson Financial in Boston and was in New York for a technology conference. She was in the north tower of the World Trade Center when it collapsed.
Harvey Reeser, the retired Avon fire chief, said he remembers Amy playing at his house with his daughters when she was younger.
"We lived a couple houses away from them and my three girls grew up with Amy. That was a real tragic loss, not only for my family, her family, and the town of Avon," Reeser said.
A memorial honoring Toyen is located in the grassy circle in front of the Avon Free Public Library. http://www.avonctlibrary.info/MemorialStatue.html
The town of Avon's first responders who attended the 11th anniversary ceremony also remembered the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"It's also important because of the firefighter brotherhood. We lost 343 brothers that day," Joe Kuzma, an Avon firefighter, said.
The firefighters made a promise 11 years ago to always remember and never forget and they plan to meet on every anniversary and honor those who were lost.
The Avon High School chamber choir members performed on Tuesday. They were in first grade the day of the attacks, but still remember it clearly.
"I looked on the screen and it was just a terrifying site, especially for someone so young. It's something I will never forget," Mackenzie Bernetich, a senior at Avon High School, said.
"When we sing songs about our nation, it brings us together and reminds us of all the things that happened to us," Will DiStefano, who is also a senior at Avon High School, said.
