Albuquerque church remembers 9/11

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Eleven years ago, they stood as part of the World Trade Center towers in New York, today they serve as the foundation of a bell tower in an Albuquerque church.

"It means that we have a special privilege and particular opportunity to continue to pray for peace, freedom, the liberty that we need individually so we keep that in mind whenever we celebrate that we need personal freedom," says Fr. Clarence Maes, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Albuquerque.

Every year on the September 11 anniversary a special mass is held at Sacred Heart to remember the victims lost that day as well as the people still fighting for freedom.

"We recognize that we are one aspect of the memorial," says Fr. Maes. "...it's been branching out into different areas in our community and nationwide, perhaps worldwide that there are so many other military personnel that are remembered wherever they may be stationed so we keep them in mind as well."

In addition to the mass at Sacred Heart, Albuquerque Fire and Police Departments along with Governor Susana Martinez with Mayor R.J. Berry will hold a ceremony at the new Fire Station 2.  This is located on Gibson just east of Interstate 25 in Southeast Albuquerque.  This event will begin at 8:46 a.m.

Albuquerque Fire Fighters will hold their annual stair climb in the Bank of Albuquerque building downtown. They will go up and down the building to simulate the 110 story climb that firefighters made in the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, the community will gather at the Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho to honor the victims who died in the terrorist attacks.  50 white doves are also expected to be released.  At the same ceremony, Sandoval County Fire Chief Jon Tibbetts who passed away this July will be remembered.