WESTPORT — Beneath a giant stars-and-stripes salute unfurled Sunday by the Westport Fire Department, thousands of motorcyclists left Sherwood Island State Park en route for the “CT United Ride” tribute to victims of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Skies were crystal clear for this year’s rolling-thunder commemoration, like that day 23 years earlier when airliners flown into the World Trade Center’s twin towers left clouds of smoke rising from the ruins in lower Manhattan that were visible from the Westport peninsula.

For that reason, the state’s memorial to the 9/11 victims is located in the park.

Fire Department officials, who participated in ceremonies kicking off the 60-mile ride through 10 Fairfield County communities, said in a Facebook post: “Thank you to all who joined us in this meaningful tribute to remember and honor the heroes of September 11th.”