Groton - Holding the string to a small saluting cannon, Jack Gallimore looked down at his watch. Just before 8:46 a.m.- the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001- he called out, "Stand by. Five, four, three, two, one, fire!"

Just before 8:46 a.m.- the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001- he called out, "Stand by. Five, four, three, two, one, fire!"The boom made bystanders jump and ears ring. Gray smoke swept through the nearby shrubs, lingered, then dissipated in the wind and rain.

The boom made bystanders jump and ears ring. Gray smoke swept through the nearby shrubs, lingered, then dissipated in the wind and rain. Gallimore loaded another blank cartridge into the cannon, which was strapped to a folding chair near the National Submarine Memorial East.

Gallimore loaded another blank cartridge into the cannon, which was strapped to a folding chair near the National Submarine Memorial East. Four men, clad in U.S. Submarine Veterans vests and hats and wearing ear plugs, huddled around Gallimore holding umbrellas, while another veteran took pictures.

Four men, clad in U.S. Submarine Veterans vests and hats and wearing ear plugs, huddled around Gallimore holding umbrellas, while another veteran took pictures.Sixty seconds passed. Gallimore pulled the string. The chair hopped; the cannon tipped.

Sixty seconds passed. Gallimore pulled the string. The chair hopped; the cannon tipped.The veterans took turns firing the cannon, once a minute for 11 minutes. Then they packed up their cannon and went home, hoping that their tribute would serve as a reminder of the tragic events of eight years ago.

The veterans took turns firing the cannon, once a minute for 11 minutes. Then they packed up their cannon and went home, hoping that their tribute would serve as a reminder of the tragic events of eight years ago. j.grogan@theday.com

j.grogan@theday.com