Residents gathered at Point Lookout Sunday for the annual sunrise ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Many people gathered at the same beach 21 years ago to watch as the horror unfolded on the New York City skyline.

The chaos of that day has been transformed into a peaceful, solemn sunrise ceremony -- the largest of its kind on Long Island.

There were 200 people from the Town of Hempstead who were killed in the attacks.

Town’s 9/11 Memorial Park has a beam that was salvaged from the World Trade Center.

Retired FDNY Lt. Ray Thomas, who responded on 9/11, shared his memory of the awful day.

“It was the worst day of my life and a lot of people’s lives. It still lingers, the pain never goes away, you just start to live with it a little better,” he says. “My company, Ladder Company 118, Engine 205, they responded and unfortunately six guys from Ladder 118 all perished while getting people out of elevators…They were heroes, true heroes.”

Ceremony attendee Diane Hechler lost a close friend during the attack.

“You just can never forget what happened there. It's amazing it's 21 years already,” she said.

Many families also brought their children to the event so they could learn first-hand about the terror attack and its aftermath.

Organizers say it’s important for traditions like this continue.

“This is a very emotional ceremony. And I always find comfort being with all these people. I'm very grateful for all those who attended here today and every single year,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Calvin.