'We must never forget': Residents pay tribute to lives lost on September 11, 2001

CHICAGO - People across the city and suburbs honored those who lost their lives 22 years ago on September 11, 2001.

Hundreds of volunteers filled the Great Hall at Union Station on Monday to mark the 9/11 National Day of Service. 

Their mission? To pack up some 450,000 meals to be distributed by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

As volunteers funneled oatmeal into individual packets, you could hear an occasional outburst of hoots and hollers.

"Every time they finish a box, they yell out and celebrate. And isn't that great? It's worth celebrating," said Camerin Mattson, communications manager with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

"There's so many people here doing something good for people in need and for their neighbors," Mattson said.

Eighteen cities around the country are participating in this mission to provide more than six million meals to the food insecure.

Organizers said the event brings a lot of joy to the volunteers who participate.

"It gives them something active to do to commemorate this day in such a positive way," Mattson said. "We're turning this day, that was such a difficult moment in our nation's history, into something for good. And what a great way to redeem that day."

This is the fourth year that volunteers are packing up meals for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

In Aurora, the fire and police department held their annual ceremony Monday morning at the Aurora Central Fire Station. 

A special bell tolling and moment of silence was held at 7:46 a.m. — the minute the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

"There are many things we can learn from incidents like this, and I think it's imperative that we do so," said Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross.

And in Palatine, a moment of silence was also held for the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

"We dedicate this day to those who fell and to those who continue to carry the memories of their loved ones and most importantly, we must never forget," said Palatine firefighter Mark Hallett.