Across the nation, The American Legion Family will lead their communities in honoring those lost during the 2001 terrorist attacks and those lost in the ensuing wars.
It’s a moment in America’s history that the American Legion Family continues to remember and ensure that their community never forgets the lives lost that day or the more than 7,000 U.S. servicemembers lost fighting in the global war on terrorism following the attacks. For 24 years, American Legion posts have conducted ceremonies on 9/11 to ensure that their communities don’t forget the lives lost that day or those lost while fighting the global war on terrorism prompted by the attack.
And this year is no different. From New York to California, Wisconsin to Florida and multiple points in between, ceremonies and other events will remember all those on or as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
There also are other ways to commemorate 9/11:
· America 250 is hoping to make Sept. 11 “the largest day of unity and doing good in American history through its 9/11 Day. A national project-registration database has been set up at 911day.org/volunteer to list and promote service opportunities, whether open to the public or private to an organization. American Legion Family members are encouraged to post their community service projects around the anniversary of 9/11 to the database, as they did their USA 250 Challenge activities.
· U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries will host a day of service and remembrance to honor victims of the attacks. This year’s events take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. local time at more than 140 VA and state veteran cemeteries, and will include opportunities for community volunteers to clean headstones and participate in other cemetery beautification activities. Those wishing to participate in VA cemeteries’ National Day of Service and Remembrance can register here.
And ahead of 9/11, don’t forget to check out this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast episode. Our hosts talk with then-Air Force 1st Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney, who on Sept. 11, 2001, had one job: get airborne and take down United Flight 93 before it reached its target in Washington, D.C.
At the local level, the following are a few examples of what Legion Family members have planned to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Those who conduct such events are urged to share their stories and photos at www.legiontown.org.
Alabama
In Anniston, American Legion Post 111 has organized an event for area residents at the Fort McClellan Post Cemetery to honor fallen military servicemembers and first responders. Following the scheduled presentation, organizers will open the floor to the public to recognize loved ones who served in the military or as first responders who have died since Sept. 11, 2001. Their names will be read aloud as part of the post’s participation in the “Carry the Load” initiative, a program dedicated to preserving the memory of fallen heroes.
The ceremony includes remarks from Oxford Police Chief Daniel Phipps and Anniston Fire Chief Johnnie Phelps and musical tributes, while the Post 111 color guard will present the colors. Light refreshments will be available for attendees during the event.
California
· In South Lake Tahoe (SLT), American Legion Post 795 is hosting a 9/11 remembrance ceremony for the community. Local responders who will attend the ceremony include SLT Fire Rescue, the California Highway Patrol, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department and the City of SLT Police Department. Light refreshments will be provided by Post 795, Tacos Por Favor Catering and Juice It Up.
· In Jackson, American Legion Post 108 is hosting a memorial service that will include the reading of a timeline from Sept. 11, 2001. The post will serve light refreshments following the service.
Florida
In Sebastian, American Legion Post 189, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 189 and the Sebastian Area Veteran Honor Guard are hosting a ceremony to commemorate 9/11.
Georgia
In Midway, East Liberty Post 321’s American Legion Family is hosting the annual 9/11 observance at the Midway Fire Department.
Illinois
· In Evergreen Park, American Legion Post 854 will host a community 9/11 ceremony at dusk. The ceremony will honor first responders and U.S. citizens who lost their lives during the attacks.
· In Elgin, American Legion Post 57 is sponsoring Healing Fields at four locations to commemorate both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Each of the Healing Fields offers a display of American flags – more than 4,000 flags total – honoring the lives lost, the heroes who rose in courage and the enduring strength of the nation.
· In Manteno, American Legion Post 755 is hosting a celebration of life for those lost in the attack on the Pentagon. The event will include breakfast at the post; a reading of the names of the military personnel taken that day; and remarks by Mayor Annette LaMore, Post 755 Vice Commander Steve Navarro Jr. and others.
Indiana
In Nappanee, American Legion Riders Chapter 154 is hosting its annual 9/11 Ride to Remember. The purpose of the estimated 60-mile ride is to remember, and pay tribute to, first responders past and present; their families; all veterans, past and present; and the thousands of unsuspecting Americans who died during terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Following the ride, participants will be welcomed to a free meal featuring an auction, 50/50 drawing and entertainment.
Post 154 also is conducting its inaugural Salad Challenge to support the 9/11 Ride to Remember. All salads will be used to feed riders and other participants in the event. Post 154 uses money raised from the Ride to Remember to fund public outreach and assistance, including the adoption of three area families each year at Christmas.
Louisiana
In Baton Rouge, American Legion Nicholson Post 38 is hosting a 9/11 remembrance ceremony that will honor those lost in the attack, first responders and those on Flight 93.
Michigan
In Grand Haven, a remembrance ceremony will take place in front of Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28 on Friday, bringing together Legionnaires, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars, civic leaders and the community.
The ceremony will remember and honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, veterans, and those soldiers continuing to serve in uniform at home and abroad.
New Jersey
In Brooklawn, American Legion Post 72 is sponsoring a community commemoration of 9/11 at Brooklawn United Methodist Church. The ceremony honors the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, Flight 93 passengers and the U.S. military service personnel who have died in the battle against terrorism while other members of the service continue to fight.
Church bells will ring at the exact time each of the attacks took place. The ceremony also will include the placement of a ceremonial wreath to commemorate past war fighters who are now deceased.
“The ceremony will not only honor those who have died, but also those who live and continue to fight for the freedoms of this great nation,” Past Post 72 Commander and event chairman Ted Howarth said. “As a nation united, we must remain committed to supporting the men and women of our armed forces as they serve with honor and courage. American Legion posts across America are energizing their communities to ensure that the innocent victims will never be forgotten.”
New York
In Homer, American Legion Post 465 is teaming with officers from the Homer Police Department and members of the Homer Fire Department to conduct their annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on Sept. 11 at the village’s 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony will honor all those who we lost during the attacks and those lost due to illnesses resulting from the attacks.
North Carolina
In King, American Legion Post 290 and Auxiliary 290 are inviting the public to honor first responders with a memorial service at the post. Coffee and donuts will be served.
Oregon
In Hermiston, American Legion Post 37 is playing a large role in the community’s 9/11 Remembrance & Tribute Ceremony that will remember the lives lost 25 years ago while paying tribute to the courage, heroism and resilience shown in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
American Legion Post 37 Commander Mark Wiggins will be among those providing remarks, while members of Post 37 will join others in a wreath-laying and bell ceremony.
South Carolina
In Fort Mill, American Legion Post 43 and Auxiliary Unit 43 will help place 412 flags at Town Hall and take part in the reading of names of first responders as a part of the town’s remembrance ceremony. The flag display represents the first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
The town is also collecting thank-you cards and letters of appreciation for local first responders that will be distributed at the Post 43’s 9/11 First Responder Appreciation Lunch, which is free for first responders.
Tennessee
In Johnson City, American Legion King’s Mountain Post 24 and the city will host a Patriots Remembrance Ceremony to honor the heroes and victims of the terrorist attacks and recognizing local first responders and military personnel. The ceremony will take place in the amphitheater at Memorial Park in Johnson City and will include a prayer, presentation of the colors by local fire, police and emergency medical service departments, guest speakers and a memorial wreath-laying honoring those who lost their lives.
Local first responders and public safety personnel also will be recognized during the ceremony, as will personnel from the Washington County and Johnson City fire, police, EMS and dispatch personnel for their Hurricane Helene response.
Texas
In Houston, Garden Oaks Post 560’s 25th Anniversary 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony will include remembering key moments of 9/11 with the ringing of bells, wreath presentations, and remarks from various Legionnaires, including Department of Texas Eighth District Commander Stefanie Otto. Various first responders also will speak during the ceremony.
Utah
In St. George, American Legion Post 90 is joining with the city, the St. George Exchange Club, United We Pledge and other community organizations to conduct “Patriot Day: Remembering 9/11” at Historic Town Square.
The event, which runs through Sept. 12, includes a patriotic program that features a bell tribute, children’s choirs, guest speakers and children’s activities; a flag retirement ceremony, Sept. 11; and a display of American flags representing first responders who perished on 9/11.
American Legion Post 142 in St. George also is one of the supporters of the event.
Wisconsin
· In Cadott, American Legion Post 159, VFW Post 6005 and the Wisconsin Veterans Tribute are hosting what they are calling “a morning of reflection and unity.” The event will take place in from the front of the 9/11 monument at the Wisconsin Veterans Tribute. The ceremony will include the ringing of the bell and a moment of silence at 7:46 a.m. CT to mark when the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower, then another ringing of the bell and moment of silence at 8:03 a.m. CT to mark when another plane struck the World Trade Center’s South Tower. There also will be a musical tribute, and remarks from state leaders, first responders and Jim Anderson, a United Airlines pilot, who knew the pilot of the plane that crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. “We wanted a bigger event because we never want to forget what happened,” Post 159 Third Vice Commander Joe Melville said. “We want to make sure we never forget the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. And make sure the next generation never forgets.”
· In Appleton, American Legion Post 38 is hosting its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the post’s Don Hawkins Field. The Scarlet Guard Color Guard – comprised of Northeast Wisconsin Legion Family members – will take part in the ceremony, as will city officials from both Appleton and Grand Chute, as well as local first responders.