A man touches a piece of beam from the World Trade Center at the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Mills Park in 2023.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
As the years pass and sorrow fades from the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, new generations are forgetting about the day.
A twilight observance Wednesday at Carson City’s Mills Park will remember the heroism of that day 23 years ago and the days afterward.
On that day in 2001, 2,996 people died including 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers.
A light dinner, snacks and refreshments begin at 5 p.m. and end 50 minutes later with the memorial remembrance commencing at 6 p.m. Similar events will be held during the morning at Fernley and Fallon.
“It is of paramount importance that we remember the things that brought our nation together,” said Pastor Pat Propster of Calvary Chapel in Carson City. “That at the places of memorials, we would continue to have times of remembrances. This will ensure that we never forget. We must determine and purpose ourselves to always remember.”
Propster said the evening will focus on worship and reflection. He takes an active role by reuniting America’s citizens to Christ in prayer and bonded with the spirit of “patriotism and liberty, love and respect, thoughts and actions of selfishness and usefulness.” He said citizens fulfilled their call to Jesus Christ.
“That selfless heart was lived out across our nation, especially seen, in all the first responders responding to United Airlines flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; the Twin Towers (World Trade Center) in New York; and at The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia.”
Propster said the offices and departments of the Carson City mayor, sheriff and fire chief in conjunction with the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship Prayer Team have planned the annual 9/11 remembrance for 2024. The memorial site at Mills Park is located near the entrance of the Marv Teixeira Pavilion.
“This remembrance will gather us together for a time of worship and reflection,” Propster said. “Prayers will be offered between the thoughts and heartfelt words of encouragement from Mayor Lori Bagwell, Sheriff Kenny Furlong and Fire Chief Sean Slamon.”
One of the oldest 9/11 ceremonies in Northern Nevada will be conducted in the morning at Fallon City Hall.
Fallon will host its ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. in the courtyard behind city hall.
The Fernley ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the Out of Town Park east of the downtown corridor. Rich Crombie, a spokesman with the Nevada Veterans Coalition, said the organization sponsors the annual event. In addition to the NVC, he said the North Lyon County Fire Department, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Fernley will honor the law enforcement officers and firefighters who died in New York City and at the Pentagon.
All three observances will remember the passengers on United Flight 93 who wrestled the controls of the jet from hijackers, only to have the plane crash in a field in western Pennsylvania, killing all aboard.
The guest speaker for the Fernley 9/11 Remembrance is Mayor Neal McIntyre and the keynote speaker is J.R. Stafford, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Sierra Nevada Chapter 989.
Fireman and policeman’s prayers will be offered by Sharon Serenko and Linda Carr. Serenko will also deliver the benediction. The closing for the program will be conducted by retired Col. Susan Malone, civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for Nevada.