A beam made from the debris of the World Trade Center’s two towers is part of a permanent 9/11 memorial display at Mills Park. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN)
Solemn observances to mark the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, will be conducted Saturday in Carson City, Minden, Fallon and Fernley.
On Sept. 11, 2001, more than 3,000 people including firefighters, law enforcement personnel and military men and women died in the worst act of terrorism committed on American soil. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four passenger jets that morning, crashing two into New York City’s World Trade Center, a third into the Pentagon and a fourth into a western Pennsylvania field after passengers fought for control.
On Dec. 18, 2001, President George W. Bush officially designated 9/11 as Patriot Day, a time to reflect and remember the day’s events.
Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell and the Carson City Board of Supervisors are proclaiming Saturday as 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance at the 9/11 site at Mills Park. They invite all residents to honor the lost lives and others impacted by the day.
The annual event begins at 9 a.m. near Seely Loop and is coordinated by the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship. The fellowship initially organized the 9/11 ceremony with community and state representatives alternating their comments along with area pastors.
Carson City declared Mills Park as a permanent location of the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial on Dec. 19, 2013. A steel beam taken from the debris of the WTC’s two towers serves as a reminder of the tragedy.
Sheriff Kenny Furlong said at a previous 9/11 remembrance the beam acts as a reminder of the incident and the people who risked their lives to save others.
“This beam also represents to me that all of America is made of from the fallen to the heroes,” he said. “The blood shed on 9/11 must never be forgotten for once forgotten, we are destined to repeat history.
Furlong remarked how magnificently architects and builders designed and erected the World Trade Center.
A 9/11 “Remember Ground Zero” Memorial Ceremony is from 4-5 p.m. at the Valley Christian Fellowship located at 1681 Lucerne St. in Minden. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/911-remembering-ground-zero-memorial-ceremony-tickets-167902323369
A ceremony has been held in Fallon since 2002. This year's Fallon ceremony begins at the City Hall Courtyard at 11 a.m. U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei is the featured speaker.
During the ceremony, Mayor Ken Tedford will give a chronology of the events from that tragic day, and several groups will sing patriotic songs. The Churchill County Junior ROTC honor guard will parade the colors.
The city of Fernley and the Nevada Veterans Coalition will conduct a remembrance beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the North Lyon County Fire Station on Main Street. Brig. Gen. Michael Hanifan of the Nevada Army National Guard is expected to speak.
To honor those lost and those that responded to the events of Sept. 11, a coalition of veterans and first responders have joined together to lead a ruck march
The Operation Battle Born Ruck March has been shortened because of the ongoing smoke hazard in Reno and Carson City.
There will only be a single 12-mile leg from the Summit Mall to the Sparks Marina beginning at 1 p.m. A closing ceremony is set for 6 p.m. If air quality remains hazardous, organizers said Tuesday the event will move indoors to Truckee Meadows Community College for a 110-stair challenge, also beginning at 1 p.m.
The event is free and open to all able participants.
