Jill Pila, left, whose husband Jim Gartenberg, right, was killed in the World Trade Center 25 years ago, will share her story at an event at the Saban Theatre on Sept. 11. (photo courtesy of Jill Pila)

Communities throughout Los Angeles will gather on Sept. 11 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Beverly Hills will hold its annual remembrance ceremony from 11 a.m.-noon at the Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden, 445 N. Rexford Drive.

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the horrific 9/11 terror attacks,” Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman said. “No matter how many years go by, we will always honor those who lost their lives, or survived but bear the scars to this day, as well as the brave first responders and good Samaritans who didn’t hesitate to come to the need of others. Our annual ceremony is a time where the community can come together and remember the unthinkable events of that morning and ensure they will never be forgotten.”

The Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden was dedicated in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. At the center of the memorial is a 30-foot steel floor beam recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Two stone pillars represent the Twin Towers.

The Los Angeles Fire Department will begin its annual remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, 1700 Stadium Way. Fire Chief Jaime Moore will join Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief Robert Harris, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and other officials at the ceremony.

Moore and McDonnell will ring “10-Bells” during the ceremony, which will also include bagpipers and a helicopter flyover.

In West Hollywood, the city will mark Patriot Day with an honorary display at the Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial, located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The display will be placed beginning at 10 a.m., and community members are invited to visit the memorial for a moment of reflection.

The 25th anniversary will also be commemorated at the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., during an 8 p.m. Rosh Hashanah service on Sept. 11. Rabbi David Baron has invited Jill Pila, whose husband, Jim Gartenberg, was killed in the World Trade Center, to share her story.

Pila was pregnant with the couple’s second daughter at the time of the attacks. Gartenberg was trapped on the 86th floor of the World Trade Center and spoke with Pila and members of the media before his death.

“I will speak about my late husband, Jim, and remember the extraordinary person he was – not only as a husband and a father, but as a human being,” Pila said. “I will share his selfless and heroic final words to me and to the media, spoken just moments before he was murdered. His courage, love and concern for others in those final moments are a profound part of his legacy.”

Baron said Gartenberg spent his final moments attempting to keep others calm and give them hope. He said Pila’s appearance will help preserve the memory of Sept. 11 for generations who did not experience the attacks.

“We have over 100 million people [who] have been born since 9/11 – 100 million Americans who have no recollection of that day from personal experience,” Baron said. “It’s very important that we not forget what occurred and how we were attacked. America was attacked, so we’re going to remember that.”

Pila said preserving the individual stories of those killed in the attacks prevents their lives from being reduced to a death toll.

“Each person has a story, a family, a community,” Pila said. “By remembering them and sharing these stories, we ensure that they are not reduced to a number. Their lives – and the impact they had on those who loved them – continue to live on.”

The city of Beverly Hills will host a commemoration at its 9/11 Memorial Garden at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. (photo by Tabor Brewster)