It's been 16 years since close to 3,000 people lost their lives in one of the deadliest terror attacks on American soil.

The scars from that day may look as if they are healed over, but time and time again, the wounds suffered by the families of the lost are ripped open and the pain comes flooding back.With each passing year, it may seem a little duller, but on one day of the year, the pain is as raw as it was on that bright, crisp day on Sept. 11, 2001.This Sept. 11, the South Ward Playground Association in Tamaqua will continue its tradition of honoring those lost with a special "9/11 Remembrance Ceremony."This year's event will be bittersweet, as the last of the original organizers, Bill "Pappy" Jones, lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.The event will be held at the playground, on Sept. 11, beginning at 6 p.m. Former Tamaqua Mayor Richard Hadesty will continue his traditional role of master of ceremonies. Participants scheduled to speak include: Pastor Ed Noftz of New Life Assembly of God Church; Major Sharon Whispell of the Salvation Army; Tyler Calkins of the South Ward Fire Company.Also, Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman; Schuylkill County Commissioners George Halcovage and Gary Hess; District Magisterial Judge Stephen Bayer; Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison; Tamaqua Councilman Micah Gursky; incoming Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace; U.S. Army Sgt. Amanda Kerr; retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Lynn; and U.S. Army Maj. Scott Sparrow.Closing ceremonies will include a memorial song in honor of Jones.Musical selections will be offered by Dollinda Linkhorst, while the evening will end with taps by Becky Hartranft and D.J. Fredericks.The public is welcome. Please bring your own lawn chair.The playground is located at Penn and Oak streets in Tamaqua.