Civic Center Park did not host a grim 9/11 memorial, but rather seemed to channel more of a somber July 4th gathering.
Approximately 35,000 people picnicked, danced and attended the concert in Civic Center Park for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. There were certainly a few tears, but the Beach Boys' performance alongside the flag-draped steel of the World Trade Center on display helped keep the event commemoratively upbeat with songs like, "God Only Knows."
"These artifacts stand as a stark reminder to Colorado, to Denver, indeed to all of us as Americans of our obligation to remain vigilant and work together to keep our communities, our state, and our country safe and secure," Mayor Hancock said during the announcement of the "Colorado Remembers 9/11" event.
State Deputy Public Affairs Officer of the Colorado National Guard Captain Darin Overstreet told ICOSAMagazine:
Everyone I guess above the age of 10 has a story about where they were when the attacks hit our nation and the steel back behind me serves as a reminder. It's a symbol for our nation, something we can unite on, regardless of what our story is we all have something that impacts us about that. And it brings us all back together, it reminds us of the lives we have lost, the lives we have lost since during the war, and we're still losing lives today in the war. And it started with this steel behind me.
All photos by Veronica Rael.
Colorado Remembers -- 2011 Ceremony
Below, Denver's First Lady Mary Louise Lee sings "Amazing Grace".