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NEVER FORGET: 9/11 memorials and remembrances across our area

Smoke pours from the World Trade Center after being hit by two planes September 11, 2001 in New York City. 

Gastonia volunteer recalls being at ground zero 18 years ago

A Gastonia woman has a connection to 9/11 that can never be broken.

It has been 18 years since nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when four planes were flown into New York City's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Red Cross volunteer Annie Bynum spent six months at ground zero in New York City doing everything from sifting through the debris of the fallen twin towers to talking with family members of the missing.

"What happened, I will never forget," Bynum said.

In the video above, Bynum tells Gaston County reporter Ken Lemon what it was like working in the war zone, and why it's the reason she still accepts volunteer missions.

Veterans group flies American flags over I-77 in remembrance of 9/11

Dozens of people stood shoulder to shoulder Tuesday, gripping American flags over Interstate 77 in Fort Mill to show support for the victims of 9/11.

The tribute has become a tradition for the Rolling Thunder Veterans Group.

Veterans and supporters stood quietly on Sutton Road over I-77 for two hours, until 9:03 a.m., when the second plane hit the twin towers.

Thousands of people commuting to work couldn't miss the flags blowing in the breeze or avoid thinking about why they were there. Drivers honked, waved and flashed lights as they rode by.

Watch the video above to hear one woman explain why the event is especially significant for her. 

Local high school students build tribute to remember lives lost on 9/11

Students at a high school in Caldwell County spent hours building a tribute to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Although most of the students weren't alive that day, they said it's important to never forget what happened.

It took the students at South Caldwell High School three hours to place 2977 flags near the entrance of the school. Each flag represents a victim of 9/11.

"For me, that number doesn't sound very big but once you're down on the ground like putting each one of them in, you realize how many actually died that day," said student Taylor Austin. "You can't grasp it until you're actually putting in the work."

Watch the video above to hear why the memorial not only touched students, but teachers as well.