BOSTON -- Bay State residents and officials marked Monday with ceremonies and memorials to honor those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Massachusetts local lawmakers marked the day with a ceremony on the lawn of the Statehouse. The flag was lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims and their family members.

The brother of John Ogonowski, a pilot killed on Sept. 11, 2001, addressed the crowd.

"I am sure each and every one of you can remember where you were, what you were doing and how you found out that our country was under attack. We have changed forever, but we are a nation of survivors, learning from our history and marching forward," Jim Ogonowski said.

"It's hard for our minds to contemplate a human darkness so vile that it celebrates murder and the destruction of innocent life," Gov. Mitt Romney said.

About 200 men, women and children with ties to Massachusetts were killed on Sept. 11, 2001. People stopped and bowed their heads at 8:46 a.m. -- the time five years ago that American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center.

Victim Amy Jarret's family traveled to Massachusetts from Rhode Island for the ceremony.

"This country is at war, and we need to make every effort to win this war or there is going to be many, many people who suffer the same fate," Jarret's father, Aram Jarret, said.

There were somber moments in the House Chambers as well. A video showing the names and pictures of the Massachusetts victims was played.

"This video honors the lives, not the deaths, of our loved ones. In those faces, we see the joy of today and in their eyes we see the promise for tomorrow -- a tomorrow that never came, a promise that could not be fulfilled," said Lesley Blair, who lost her sister in the attacks.

"When 9/11 family survivors are brought together and they are grieving on a day like today, that no one really has to speak, that our presence here alone is meaningful and powerful," said Lisa Burke, who lost her cousin in the attacks.

Airline employees at Logan International Airport took time to reflect and remember their friends and colleagues. The National Guard, Transporation Security Administration workers and passengers observed a moment of silence.

"We are flying today on purpose because we didn't want to fly yesterday. We thought security would be better today," passenger Art Hoff said.

"The security is beefed up, so I am not really worried about it," passenger Carole Ferrera said.

"I have faith in God, so I trust them and pray. Whatever is meant to be -- I am in God's hands," traveler Camille Bergman said.

"It is always important to remember why we are here and the function that we provide and the fact that our TSA people are really the first line of defense because, obviously, the airports and aircrafts are still a primary target for terrorism," TSA Logan Director George Naccara said.

"There is no silver bullet here. There is no perfect security system. We have to do our part each and every day as citizens and as transportation operators to develop a system of layered security," Massport CEO Tom Kinton said.

Some airline workers attended a prayer service at Logan's chapel.

"A lot of people are turning tragedy into hope. That is my message to these people -- how we can change to be better people?" Our Lady of the Airways Chapel Rev. Richard Uftring said.