From firefighters to everyday Houstonians -- even if you didn't know any victims -- this will always be a day of reflection.
A memorial in downtown is a lasting tribute to not only Houston native Lauren Catuzzi but to all who died on 9/11.
Twelve years have passed. The pictures of the twin towers burning are as surreal today as ever.
In Baytown Wednesday, there was a moment of silence for all the civilians and first responders who died that painful day.
"As firefighters, we vowed not to forget the loss of our brothers," said Richard Lopez with the Baytown Fire Department.
There were 2,977 people murdered in the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Among them is Catuzzi. She was pregnant with her first child. She was aboard United Flight 93 which went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Her family was at a memorial there Wednesday at a dedication for a 2,200 acres of national park land in honor of those who died in that crash.
"It's important for everyone who hears this today that they never forget, that they remain thoughtful of this event. I just hope we will never forget," Lauren's father, Larry Catuzzi, said.
Her father says the pain of her loss will never go away. But it helps that her family started a foundation in her honor. It's since contributed so much to Houston, including the construction of Lauren's Garden downtown, a place where on Wednesday we found a single pink rose and John Fischer.
"It's tragic what happened to everybody, and it isn't any less tragic today," Fischer said.
Fischer's daughter was the first ever recipient of thousands of dollars in scholarships which the foundation has given away in Catuzzi's name.
"I guess it's one of those things that you don't want to forget, you shouldn't forget," Fischer said.
Later in the evening, Houstonians of all religious backgrounds united to honor the victims. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, among others, all gathered at Houston mosque in hope of spreading the same message.
"We feel a great tragedy happened on 9/11 in the name of religion. In some way, shape or form we want to undo the damage that was done that day," said Dr. Amir Malik with the Ahmadiyya Mulsim Community.
"It's a great opportunity for us to revisit what's happened but at the same time pledge that nothing like that can ever happen again," Houston Baptist University professor David Capes said.
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