Hundreds of community members, police, firefighters, rescue squad personnel and Elks Club members turned out this morning for form a human chain around a full block downtown.

The event was a tribute to honor police and fire departments, EMS personnel, and rescue squads and who lost their lives on that date 10 years ago during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Today, people held hands and circled on Elm Street, Market Street, Main Street and Union Street encircling Key Bank, Little Italy, the Arlington Hotel and Roxy Theater.

Afterwards, ceremony speakers included Elks member Stephen Davis, who organized the event.

The featured speaker for the ceremony was Lieutenant Colonel James P. Hassett, U.S. Army retired, who served 20 years in service.

Among the many others attending were Potsdam Elks Exalted Ruler Bill LaPointe and Elks State Vice President Mary Charleston, representing the NYS North Central District of the Benevolent Order of Elks in Potsdam.

Firefighters also raised ladders on three ladder trucks in a 9-11 tribute.

Taps concluded the event.

Elks also displayed their American Flags throughout the village and provided refreshments following the ceremony.

For more photos, view slideshow.