Ohio flags are at half-staff in honor of 9/11

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff Wednesday.

Flags will be lowered on Ohio's public buildings and grounds at the statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center and the Rhodes Tower in honor of of those killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The national and state flags will remain at half-staff at all other public buildings and grounds throughout the state until sunset.

DeWine asked that all Ohioans observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. to honor the innocent lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks. 

Lawmakers are commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the attacks with a memorial flag display on the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. The Statehouse has been the venue for the annual 9/11 memorial from 2002 through 2024, only missing 2020 due to the pandemic. 

The flags represent the 2,977 victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93. When seen from above, the design represents the World Trade Center towers, with a space in the shape of the Pentagon and an open strip representing the field in Pennsylvania.

Located on the West Lawn of the Statehouse, the memorial will be open to the public through noon on Monday.