ARLINGTON – Alone or together, people stopped by Arlington’s 9/11 Memorial at Firehouse 46 to pay tribute to the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks on American soil, and to the brave public safety personnel who perished putting their own lives on the line to help others.

Arlington’s 9/11 Memorial is open to the public daily at Arlington Firehouse 46, 137 N. Macleod Avenue, but a special remembrance ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary was also held on Sept. 11.

Several people visited the station on Sept. 11, including 8th graders from Post Middle School who paid a special visit and met with fireighters.

Someone also baked a cake inscribed with “We 343 Remember,” a reference to the number of New York firefighters who died valiantly rescuing people and fighting fire in one of the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history.

A commemorative floral wreath and other bundles of flowers were laid at the Arlington Remembers Memorial, at the center of which is a 13-foot, 4,373-pound steel beam, an artifact that once stood as part of the World Trade Center.

Four Arlington firefighters left on Aug. 14, 2011 to New York City to retrieve the beam from JFK Airport Hanger 17.

They arrived back four days with the artifact, which was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

Firefighters and the community pulled together to fund the memorial at Station 46 to house the artifact.

The memorial includes a backdrop silhouette of the New York City skyline and the Twin Towers. Engraved plaques honor those who perished, share the story of the beam’s journey to Arlington, and an accounting of the events that happened on 9/11.

Seating allows community members to reflect, grieve and never forget.