Remembering those who died Sept. 11, 2001.

Remembering those who died Sept. 11, 2001.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

BENONA TOWNSHIP — A star formation of spruce trees planted along southbound US 31 near Shelby is a reminder of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.

Star Hill II honors the nearly 3,000 people who died Sept. 11, 2001 as well as the 7,000 US service members who were killed in the post-911 wars. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the disaster.

A group of volunteers from Oceana County, many of whom were police officers and firefighters, planted the seedlings along the highway the following spring to memorialize the thousands of lives tragically lost.

The star is located just south of the Grant Road underpass on the west side of the highway. An American flag waves in the center.

The attacks remain the deadliest terrorist act in world history.

Among those who perished were 344 firefighters and 71 police officers who died in the World Trade Center and on the ground in New York City. Another law enforcement officer died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and 55 military personnel died at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia.

Reports indicate that 1,140 people who worked, lived, or studied in Lower Manhattan at the time of the attack have been diagnosed with cancer due to exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. It has been reported that over 1,400 9/11 rescue workers who responded to the scene after the attacks have since died.

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