While from the outside, most people would not think Las Vegas would commerate 9/11, the people of the Las Vegas Valley who actually live and work here will be commerating those tragic events six years ago.
From KLAS-8 HD:
In observance of Patriot Day and in honor of those who lost their lives on that day, Governor Jim Gibbons requested that Nevada's government buildings display the United States and Nevada state flag at half staff. The City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Metro police and firefighters are observing the day at Fire Station 5 on Charleston and Hinson where they have a piece of steel beam from the World Trade Center on display. They have also raised a flag that was flown over "Ground Zero" after the attack. Just before 7 a.m., bells were rang remembrance of the people who lost their lives. At 7 p.m., local dignitaries will be on hand for a somber ceremony. The public is invited. There is also a display of 3,000 flags at Palm Mortuary located at 6701 No. Jones Blvd. The public is invited to view the flags. All of the flags flown will be sold to the public with the proceeds being donated to the Las Vegas Salvation Army. President Bush held a moment of silence beginning at 5:46 a.m. Pacific Time Tuesday for the victims of 9/11. For many, time has helped them to heal. But some families who lost loved ones in those attacks have not gotten past the pain. A Las Vegas high school school teacher lost her life when the plane she was in crashed into the Pentagon. Barabara Edwards was a French and German teacher at Palo Verde High School. The Santora family lost their son; a man who they say loved to play basketball just miles away from the World Trade Center. Christopher Santora was one of the many who rushed in as a firefighter and never came out. For the past five years his family remembered him at the 9/11 ceremony. But this year they decided to spend Tuesday morning at his old fire house before heading to Ground Zero. Across the nation, the September 11th attacks have prompted changes in security at airports. In Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport is the fifth largest in the U.S. In order to prevent another terror attack, the Transportation Security Administration has done a lot in six years. It has trained and deployed more than 40,000 officers for screening. More canines are sniffing out for explosives. All bags are now checked. And there are many behind-the-scenes security measures we don't even know about. But officials at McCarran say they are constantly upgrading security for passengers. "We want to be ahead of the problem. We don't want to be reactive, we want to be proactive and that's what we've been doing. I'm comfortable. I'd fly any of those days. I'd fly any days," said Jose Ralls, Federal Security director for McCarran. Other changes made at McCarran since 2001 include new security lanes and the latest technology when it comes to the baggage system.