A heartfelt gesture made 365 days a year honors the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Every morning, a ritual of remembrance echoes through the sacred grounds of the 9/11 memorial. A single white rose is placed on the name of each victim who would've have celebrated a birthday that day.

The flowers are hand delivered by 9/11 memorial volunteers, including 81-year-old George Mironis.

"To me, it's a special respect so the person is not forgotten," says Mironis.

MORE: Remembering 9/11 20 years later

The memorial's Birthday Rose program began in 2013 as a reminder that the 2,983 victims of the attacks once lived vibrant lives.

Mironis's dedication to the program stems from his own brush with death on 9/11. He was working on the 48th floor of the North Tower when he heard a boom.

"I heard a boom and I look out the window and I saw paper and glass coming down," says Mironis. "It was like a snowstorm or something."

Mironis lost 16 friends and 23 coworkers that day, and says that is the reason he volunteers.

Florist Mikey Collarone saw the first plane hit the North Tower. That's why he donates every white birthday rose.

At least two victims are remembered each day. Valentine's Day has the most birthdays with 17. Sept. 11 has six birthdays.