Remembering 9/11, Nine Years Later

Among those killed was Scott O'Brien, 40,  the son of Lois and Charlie O'Brien, of New Britain. He was in the North Tower, setting up for a trade show when he was killed nearly nine years ago.

"I guess I’m not as happy as I used to be because I think about him every day," his mother, Lois, said. "And it’s hard seeing his children growing up without him."

Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and others attended the service that began with a ceremony inside a pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park.

Afterward, family members carried single white roses to the 9/11 Living Memorial that sits along Long Island Sound, with the New York skyline in the distance.

All 152 names are etched into granite tablets that line a small grassy area along the shoreline.

Pat Nizen placed several roses near her sister's name -- Judith Hoffmiller.

"Coming here is very peaceful to me. The service is beautiful," Nizen said.

While plans for a memorial at Ground Zero are moving forward, plans for a proposed mosque have drawn criticism.

"My feeling is I think that it's a little insensitive to have it that close," Nizen said.

"I have nothing against them having a facility, but I think it’s a poor choice where it’s going to be located, that’s all," said Charlie O'Brien.

Nicole Barrere, 10, lost her aunt, uncle and cousin in the attacks.

Peter Hanson, his wife, Sue, and their daughter, Christine, were on the United flight headed to visit family in California. Christine and Nicole were born only 18 months apart.

"I just think, if she was right here, she would be very happy," Barrere said of the crowd that had gathered.

The service and living memorial allow many to feel close to those they lost.

During a visit to the memorial years ago, Charlie O'Brien picked up a pebble from the nearby beach.

"I carry a bit of the beach here in my pocket," O'Brien said. "I’m never without it. It’s to remind me of Scott."

The memorial service was held a few days before the actual anniversary to allow families to go to Ground Zero, if they choose to. Many said they prefer to attend the Westport service.

'It's beautiful. It's very spiritual here also," Pat Nizen said.