Warwick will hold its annual remembrance ceremony on Wednesday morning and evening at the 9/11 memorial in Oakland Beach to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 and killed 2,977 people in the immediate aftermath.

Fire and police personnel will form an honor guard to pay homage to those killed and School Committee vice chairwoman Judy Cobden will reflect on her experience as a Ground Zero survivor, a unique and sobering experience she carries with her from her time working in Manhattan at the time of the attacks.

The ceremony will begin at 10:28 a.m. to commemorate the time when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. To better accommodate residents who wish to pay respects, a candlelight vigil is held beginning at sunset in the same location. Attendees are respectfully asked to bring candles if possible.

“What I especially like about this is, as it's Patriots’ Day, we have four levels of local government in Warwick – the mayor's office, the City Council, the school committee and members of the general assembly – who all come together with this,” said Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson, who helps organize the ceremony with Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Travis. “It's a unifying event.”