Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks that killed close to 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Area residents will have several opportunities to reflect on the day and its impact:
*KVOE will have its memorial bell as part of Saturday’s Great American Market. The bell will be in the 700 block of Commercial between the Kress Center and Brady Optical between 7 am and noon, and a banner will have the names of the nearly 3,000 people who died. Emporia State music professor Dr. Gary Ziek will also play Taps at the times of the plane crashes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
*Random Acts of Patriotism makes its 19th annual appearance on Interstate 35 at the Exit 160 bridge outside Melvern. Spokesperson Deb Fuller says it’s an emotional and patriotic atmosphere.
Activities will go from sunrise to sundown. Residents are encouraged to stay for a few minutes of several hours if they so choose, but they should bring their own lawn chairs regardless of how long they plan to stay.
Also, part of the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Project’s car and bike show Saturday will include a memorial church service, with a lowering of the American flag, a gun salute and Taps as part of the service
*Emporia Fire Station 2 will have a private remembrance ceremony for firefighters, first responders and law enforcement. The ceremony is from 8:30 to 9 am
