RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia is honoring the thousands of people tragically killed during the 9/11 terrorist attack by lowering flags to half-staff on Friday. Twenty-five years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives during a terrorist attack on both the World Trad e Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. This includes first responders who gave their lives trying to save others during this tragedy. In honor and memory of the fallen, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has ordered that all American and Virginia flags outside of local and state government buildings should be lowered to half-staff at sunrise on Friday, Sept. 11 and remain that way until sunset. "I join Virginians in honoring Patriot Day and remembering our fellow Americans who never returned home that day, the families who continue to carry the burden of that loss and the profound stories of courage and heroism that emerged in the face of unimaginable tragedy," Spanberger wrote in her Thursday, Sept. 10 flag order. "We honor the firefighters, police officers and first responders who rushed toward danger at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the heroic passengers and flight attendants aboard Flight 93 who prevented another attack, and the countless Americans who came together, comforted strangers and answered the call to serve our nation and fight terrorism." 8News is honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by sharing stories of how Central Virginia remembers this tragedy. You can find these stories here, or watch our full-length "Central Virginia Remembers 9/11 25 Years Later" special here. ...read more read less