At St. Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee, a choir made up of 35 members of 8 different parishes will sing.
On Tuesday, it will be 11 years since terrorists from the Middle East hijacked four airliners and crashed them into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks. The country was stunned. People everywhere had some connection to someone who died on 9/11, as the tragedy came to be called.
Western Massachusetts counted 21 victims who lived here, went to school here, or were co-workers or siblings or children of someone who lived here.
James F. Shea, of Westfield, lost his daughter, Tara Shea Creamer, who was on one of the planes that crashed into the towers.
Creamer was one of five children, and had two children of her own. "Our family remembers Tara every day," said Shea, a widower. "I certainly do, in my prayers."
Shea said he is not a man of violence, but he believes justice was served when American troops killed Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the terrorist operation.
On the day of his death, said Shea, "I received a call from my son in Kansas City. He had three words: 'We got him.' "
Ernest and Salena Blake, of Longmeadow, were robbed of their granddaughter, Amy Toyen, who had been attending a trade show at the Trade Center.
Ernest Blake died last month at age 93. "He was close to all his grandchildren," said his widow, "but especially close to her because she was very artistic."
One by one, people who loved the people who died in 9/11 will themselves disappear, but the tragedy that changed American life will not be forgotten.
Again this year, towns all over Western Massachusetts are paying homage to the victims of 9/11.
In Springfield, a 45-minute ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with WWLP-TV news anchor Barry Kriger as host.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Police Commissioner William Fitchet and Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant will speak. Singer Vanessa Ford will perform the national anthem and "God Bless America."
A bagpiper will play as the Color Guard from Barnes Air Base lowers the American flag to half-staff. There will be a rifle salute as a wreath is placed by officials at a steel remnant of the World Trade Center, displayed on pillars.
Officials will also show a drawing of a proposed permanent monument in the likeness of a sundial, which will incorporate the steel artifact.
In Palmer, a candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. at the War Memorial at Converse Middle School.
Town Councilor Paul E. Burns will give the welcome address, and the Palmer High School band will play the national anthem and "Amazing Grace." The Reverend Bruce Prestwood-Taylor will deliver the invocation.
Speakers will include state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, state Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Palmer, and Town Council President Philip J. Hebert.
Councilor Mary A. Salzmann will read a poem about first responders.
Eight Catholic parishes in Chicopee and Ludlow are collaborating on their annual memorial Mass for those who died in the terrorist attacks.
The event, which started in 2006, will take place this year at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee beginning at 5:30 p.m.
A choir made up of 35 members of the different parishes will sing.
In Westfield, the Sons of Erin will host their annual memorial remembrance of Tara Creamer and two other natives of Westfield who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.
Brian Joseph Murphy and Daniel Patrick Trant were employees of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P., a bond trading company with offices in the World Trade Center.
Both Ludlow and Enfield will hold their ceremonies at monuments featuring steel remnants of the World Trade Center.
Jeanette DeForge, Lori Stabile and Ted LaBorde contributed to this story.