Mourners in Cos Cob offered prayers and laid roses by a waterfront memorial Wednesday, honoring the dozens of people with ties to Greenwich who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Families have watched children grow up without parents lost on that day almost two decades ago.

The memorial ceremony in Greenwich has changed over the years with people now gathering in Cos Cob Park near the memorial -- two glass towers engraved with flags overlooking the water.

News 12 spoke with the family of Teddy Maloney.

"He has been a guardian angel," Sally Maloney said of her son who was killed on Sept. 11. "I have 10 grandchildren, and people say that to me all the time. They pray for him, they pray to him."

After more than 10 years helping 9/11 families, this is First Selectman Peter Tesei’s last ceremony in office.

"This being the last one certainly is special," he said. "It's being with a community.

Three bells were rung at Fire Headquarters in Stamford and the flag was lowered to half-staff. Speakers included Mayor David Martin, who emotionally recalled the heroism ordinary Americans showed on that day 18 years ago.