A handful of people gathered in front of the Veterans Service Office at 612 Sixth St., in Portsmouth on Thursday morning, for a solemn ceremony remembering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

As the flag was being hoisted on the flagpole, those in attendance stood at attention, their hands over their hearts, and Candice Tuller, service officer, spoke a few words concerning the importance of remembering the heroes of that event, including the firefighters and police officers.

Afterwards, Tuller talked about the significance of the ceremony.

"We were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, by terrorists, and they still have a desire to destroy us," she said. "And we just can't forget that and the number of people that lost their lives that day - innocent people that had nothing to do with anything. And we just can't, as Americans, forget that."

Tuller said there always is a need to bring to remembrance of the only attack that ever occurred on American soil.

"We have to honor them on this day. We can never forget that, and we just need to honor those also that continue to fight for our freedom," she said.

Tuller made reference in her talk to the various types of heroes - from those involved in rescuing those in the twin towers to those in everyday life.

"We all can think of someone in our own lives that were a hero," she said. "I guess I can list my parents, really, as my heroes. My dad was in World War II, and he fought in the South Pacific. I think of people like John Wayne - he was always a hero of mine. I watched a lot of war movies with John Wayne."

Tuller then spoke of heroes in the context of the event.

"But I must say that more currently is the guy wearing the uniform, and that includes firemen, policemen and the military," she said.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.