The Evanston Fire and Police Departments will hold a memorial ceremony to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The City will also be recognizing the U.S. troops who have lost their lives, as well as honoring those who continue to fight the war on terror. The memorial service will be held at 7:30 a.m. at Fireman’s Park, at the corner of Simpson Street and Maple Avenue.
On Sept. 4, 2002, President Bush proclaimed Sept. 11, 2002 as Patriot Day. On this day, the President directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern daylight time), the time the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is also that day and is the culmination of an effort started by 9/11 family members and support groups to establish the service day as a way to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 and to rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that followed the attacks. September 11 was officially recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, passed with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by President Obama in April of 2009.
Those interested in serving on Sept. 11 can find volunteer opportunities and do-it-yourself project ideas for September 11 by visiting www.Serve.gov, the website created by the Corporation for National and Community Service to support United We Serve. The site features more than 250,000 volunteer opportunities for service throughout the year.