Alexandria remembered Sept. 11, 2001 on Tuesday with a ceremony in Market Square.

Mayor Bill Euille, Undersheriff Tony Davis, Police Chief Earl Cook and Fire Chief Adam Thiel all spoke at the event.

The most poignant remarks came from Thiel, who said the loss of hundreds of first-responders that day took on new meaning for him this year after the Alexandria Fire Department lost paramedic Joshua Weismann in the line of duty in February.

“Until we had our own tragic loss, I had no idea what it’s like,” Thiel said. “I have a renewed empathy.”

This shot was taken with an iPhone on the south side of the Market Square fountain. The jets were turned off for the ceremony, so I was able to get a clean view of attendees sitting on the north end of the fountain and their reflection in the water. The setting sun created a dramatic effect on City Hall and Old Glory in the background.