Nearly 23 years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the community in Westport joined together to remember the 161 victims with ties to Connecticut.

"The day itself should be engraved in everyone's mind," retired Bridgeport firefighter Fred Haschak said. "It's something we should never forget."

Barbara Theurkauf's brother was one of those victims.

"This past Saturday, my brother's fourth granddaughter was born," Theurkauf said. "So, there's a legacy there, and it's very positive and families come together."

Community leaders reflected on the legacy of the tragedy.

"In the aftermath of the worst evil that we saw," State Sen. Tony Hwang said. "This country came together."

Each year, Connecticut holds the event at Sherwood Island Park in the days leading up to New York City's ceremony which is held at the site of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

"If I could just ask for one thing," Gov. Ned Lamont said. "It's that it shouldn't take a tragedy to bring us together."