Nationwide Events to Commemorate 9/11

As the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the country is starting to commemorate and honor the day that it will never forget. On Sunday, September 11, 2011, a dedication ceremony of the 9/11 Memorial will be held for the families of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks. Our founder discusses the memorial’s design in this week’s Sharing Suzette.

Around the country, events and memorials are being planned as we all remember that historic day in our own way.

Here is just a handful of notable local and national happenings:

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the Flight 93 National Memorial plaza is designed to honor the forty people who died after their hijacked plan crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The people of the plane had regained control from the hijackers, and the crash likely spared an attack on the White House.

In the Midwest, retired Chicago police officer, Philip Szpicki is planning to walk 994 miles to the three 9/11 crash sites in an effort to raise money for wounded soldiers. He has partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and hopes to bring attention to the project with the walk and fundraiser. Szpicki left from the Victory Memorial in Rockford, Illinois last Wednesday and expects the entire walk to take 68 days.

911 Memorial Climb, Sacramento

For the past three years, Sacramento has held an annual 9/11 Memorial Climb, in which 343 firefighters climb the downtown Sacramento Renaissance Tower to honor the 343 New York firefighters killed in 9/11. For the 10^th anniversary, they have organized a 5K run/walk in addition to the climb, to allow people other than firefighters to get involved to pay tribute. Proceeds from the registration fees will benefit the Sacramento Area Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund.

And, here in the Bay Area, we will see:

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb for firefighters, law enforcement officers, first responders, and military personnel to honor the fallen New York firefighters. Each climber will wear the photo and name of one of the fallen firefighters, and the climb is followed by a celebration on Washington Street.

The 9/11 Day of Service sponsored by HandsOn Bay Area. Five hundred volunteers will come together for commemoration at the Veterans War Memorial, then spreading throughout the community to serve seniors, the homeless, veterans, and the environment.

The 9/11 Truth Film Festival at Herbst Theater. In solidarity with similar events in Toronto, Seattle, and New York, Reclaiming the Truth, Reclaiming Our Future seeks a cultural and legal understanding of the events of 9/11 through film, spoken word, music, art, comedy, action, and dialogue.

What is happening in your area to commemorate 9/11?