As communities across the commonwealth prepare to remember 9-11, one steel beam from the World Trade Center sits on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

They held their 9-11 remembrance ceremony Friday.

The flags on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands take on special meaning this weekend.

The flags fly, to represent the lives forever changed when America was attacked.

The 9/11 ceremony at Patriot Park is an annual event geared toward the community and students.

“Knowing that Pearl Harbor was happening again that we were being attacked on our own soil, this is something that America would not let this slide by that there would be some type of retaliation,” Colonel Mike Farley said.

Colonel Mike Farley says he'll forever remember that day.

After 9/11 he led troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He's since retired from the army, but won't forget facing the enemy.

“You train hard, making sure that your men are prepared and that you're ready to go in and conduct the mission that the Commander in Chief gives you,” Colonel Farley said.

One beam from the World Trade Center sits here now.

Organizers say, with it being the 10th anniversary of the attacks the ceremony takes on added meaning this year.

One other note, Colonel Farley is the nephew of late WYMT Anchor Tony Turner.