Communities across Nevada will remember the 17th anniversary next week of Sept. 11, 2001, a day that changed both the United States and the world as they moved forward from the tragic events.
Fallon’s ceremony on Patriot Day begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday behind City Hall. Flags are flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
On a clear Tuesday morning over the skies of New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania almost 17 years ago, hijackers did the unpredictable. Two jets hijacked by terrorists rammed into New York City’s World Trade Center, another plowed into the Pentagon across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital and a fourth jet crashed in a western Pennsylvania field after passengers overwhelmed hijackers in an unsuccessful attempt to wrest control of Flight 93.
More than 3,000 passengers, first-responders and people in the Pentagon and twin towers perished on that day in the worst act of terrorism committed on American soil.
The day’s events, according to Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford, are important for all generations to remember and to reflect.
“The city council and myself feel it’s important to remember what transpired on 9/11,” Tedford said.
Until 2016 when the country recognized the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Tedford said people were not remembering how the bombing of ships moored at the strategic naval base pushed the United States into World War II.
At this year’s ceremony behind the Fallon City Hall, Tedford will deliver a chronology of terror, pointing out key developments during the day. Gov. Brian Sandoval will deliver the keynote address.
While Sandoval said those acts would change the world, he added America as a people and a country would remain the same including the “perpetual optimism that defines us.”
Fallon, one of the first Nevada communities to erect a memorial for 9/11 and conduct annual remembrances, presents a solemn ceremony to honor the men and women who gave their lives. The memorial includes a piece of steel beam from one of the towers. Another monument recognizes Army Spc. Jason Disney.
The Churchill County High School graduate deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom as a wheeled vehicle repairman and welder with the 7th Transportation Battalion’s 58th Maintenance Company (GS)/530th Supply and Service Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C. Disney never finished his deployment to Afghanistan. On Feb. 12, 2002, he died in an accident as battalion soldiers ensured improvements were being made at Bagram Air Field, about 25 miles northwest of Kabul, the capital city.
To honor Disney, the main road at BAF was named in his honor, and the command erected signs describing Disney.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City also serves as a reminder of the courage and resolve shown by Americans. Constructed at the site of the World Trade Center, the memorial honors the first-responders and the men and women who worked at the WTC. Seventeen years ago, many did not return to their homes that night to their families and loved ones.
Addition to several speeches, Tedford said the Churchill County High School will perform as will bagpipers from Mason Valley. Expected to attend will be personnel from Naval Air Station Fallon and the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. Also attending are first responders from federal, state and local governments.
FERNLEY
Earlier in the day, the city of Fernley and the Nevada Veterans Coalition will conduct a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Out of Town Park’s gazebo, and wrapping up the day’s events will be a remembrance beginning at 6 p.m. at Carson City’s Mills Park.
The Fernley remembrance features several speakers who discuss the importance to remember the day when 19 terrorists hijacked four jets.
CARSON CITY
The Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship will gather at the 911 Memorial site, located near the entrance of the Marv Teixeira Pavilion and the Carson & Mills Park Railroad. The time will give those in attendance a time to reflect, to pray and remember the horror of that September day. Several representatives from Carson City and the state of Nevada will speak, mingled with prayers offered by local pastors.
Featured speakers include Mayor Bob Crowell, Sheriff Ken Furlong and Fire Chief Sean Slamon.
NEVER FORGET 9/11
On Saturday, the Iron Nation M/C is conducting its 17th annual memorial ride, Never Forget 9/11. Sign-ins at Reno’s Wingfield Park will be from 9-11 a.m. with a ceremony and parade to follow.
The cost is $20 single rider or $30 with a passenger, and the proceeds will benefit Honor Flight Nevada and Paws up for Vets.
For information or if interested in donating or volunteering, call 775-420-8946 or email inmc.neverforget@gmail.com.