Tributes to the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are underway across the country and in Connecticut on the 14th anniversary of the national tragedy.
One man's tribute to his friends lost on 9/11 has taken on something of a double meaning in Newtown, a community still healing from its own tragedy.
"I just wanted to give something back to the community," Howard Lasher, of Newtown, said. "....We in Newtown also suffered our own private 9/11 with the Sandy Hook tragedy."
Lasher worked at the American Stock Exchange and lost10 friends and colleagues in the tragedy.
In the shadow of six maple trees adorned with the American flag just weeks after 9/11, Lasher has hosted a memorial service at his Newtown home in each of the years since the terrorist attacks.
First responders, community leaders, clergy and those not even old enough to remember the tragic 2001 day come together annually to remember.
Reading allowed the names of the fallen and prayers, Lasher said for him this day as a yearly opportunity to heal from unspeakable tragedy now in two places while paying tribute to those lost by both this community and the nation.
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"I'll continue to do it for as long as I can," Lasher said.
