[GALLERY] Memorial Parkway In Utica Lined With Flags For 9/11 Memorial

If you're traveling on the Parkway in Utica this week you'll see over 400 American flags surrounding the 9/11 memorial.

The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica have placed the flags -one for every first responder who was killed on September 11th 2001 - as a symbol of remembrance for those who attend the 9/11 Memorial Service on Thursday morning.

The United Way's Brenda Episcopo says its important to remember the sacrifices first responders made that day 13 years ago.

Each flag on the Parkway has the name of a first responder written on it.

The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area is also holding a service event where volunteers will be packaging donated food and disaster preparedness kits for veterans.

Interested volunteers will get lunch and a t-shirt while supplies last, for more information you can visit the United Way website.

In addition a number of local events will be held to commemorate the anniversary of 9-11:

• Utica’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony gets underway at 9:30am on the Memorial Parkway in Utica.
• Rome 9/11 Wreath Laying Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Monument  in the Griffo Green at 11:00am
• Herkimer College 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in the Sarkus-Bush Theater in the College Center at 10:00am
• The Genesis Group's 13th annual 9/11 Regional Prayer Breakfast at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro at 7:30am