ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Americans are commemorating 9/11 with somber tributes, volunteer projects and a new monument to victims, after a year when two attacks demonstrated the enduring threat of terrorism in the nation's biggest city.

  • Honor flight from St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl. Airport to D.C.
  • Veterans will tour D.C. memorials then return to St. Pete; welcome home ceremony scheduled for 8:30 p.m. 
  • Honor flights

More than 70 veterans from the Bay area marked the occasion with an honor flight to Washington D.C. The veterans toured the war memorials in the nation's capital.  

The 73 veterans headed to D.C. as part of a free program said it takes on more meaning to make the trip on Sept. 11. 

"We're very grateful," said Korean War veteran Bill Wieland of making the trip on this day. "We had that honor to be there to celebrate the memory of all those that really gave everything they had."  

Honor flight guardian Edward Livesay echoed the thoughts of the veterans, saying he was honored to be among so many who gave so much. 

"And that's why this is so important,"  Livesay said. "This honor flight for all of those who sacrificed for those who made it and didn't make it."   

The veterans will return back to St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport around 8:30 p.m.