Marine Cpl. Marshal Macri of the Marine Band San Diego plays Taps at the close of a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Northwest suburban police, firefighters, veterans and dignitaries gathered on the Maryville Academy campus in Des Plaines this morning to mark the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honor the victims and heroes of that day.
Former Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins was among the event’s speakers, recalling her experience flying into Reagan International Airport near Washington, D.C. moments after the Pentagon was hit by a hijacked passenger plane.
Former Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia served as master of ceremonies for the solemn event, which also featured speeches from Cmdr. Michael Lake of Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992, Kevin O’Connell, chief of the investigations division for the Illinois Attorney General, and Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax.
Participants laid a ceremonial wreath in remembrance of victims and Cpl. Marshal Macri of the Marine Corp Band San Diego closed the ceremony with the playing of “Taps.”
Firefighters listen as former Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins recalls landing in Washington, D.C. moments after the Pentagon had been hit by a passenger jet, killing all on board and 125 military personnel on Sept. 11, 2001. She spoke during a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 Cmdr. Michael Lake talks of the heroics of people during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He and other officials spoke during a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Firefighters and police say The Pledge of Allegiance during a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Former Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia speaks during a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Members of a combined honor guard made up of members from American Legion Post 36 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 fire a salute during a 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com