Special ceremonies across metro Atlanta mark 18th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

ATLANTA — There are heavy hearts across metro Atlanta and the country as we remember the thousands of Americans killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Wednesday marks 18 years since terrorists crashed planes into New York City's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where the staff gathered in the terminal atrium for a special ceremony.

[RELATED: Remembering 9/11: Events planned throughout metro Atlanta on 18th anniversary]

The airport and TSA checkpoints were all paused for a moment of silence. The airport's deputy general manager and TSA federal security director spoke afterward.

The director said 9/11 is a chance for those on the frontlines of safety and security to rededicate themselves to keeping everyone safe.

"The further we get away from 2001, the greater concern I have. So we continue this program, continue reminders, continue training and retraining and listening to our staff on how to become even more proficient," Mary Leftridge said.

Cox Media Group