W. Chicago commemorates 10th anniversary of 9/11 with community observance
The community is invited to attend a 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America during “Remembering 9/11: A West Chicago Observance” on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Reed-Keppler Park, National Street and Arbor Avenue, West Chicago.
The observance begins at 6:00 p.m. at the newly constructed memorial garden along National Street near Fremont Street. A simultaneous ringing of bells at various churches throughout the community will signal the start of the observance. The West Chicago Police Department and the West Chicago Fire Protection District Color Guards will post the colors with the Pledge of Allegiance to follow.
The Community High School District #94 band will continue by playing the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, and introduce Chaplain Tim Mitchell of the West Chicago Fire Protection District who will lead the opening prayer.
West Chicago Mayor Mike Kwasman will welcome attendees to the observance and offer his reflection on the events of September 11, 2001, honoring those who perished and those who survived. West Chicago Park District Director Gary Major will then dedicate the focal point of the new garden, a bronze memorial sculpture depicting two children triumphantly raising an American flag. The Park District Foundation will follow by recognizing the recipient of the 2011 West Chicago Home Town Hero Award.
First responders from both the Police Department and the Fire District will read several essays of remembrance submitted by members of the community and local school children against a backdrop of photographs gathered by committee members that memorialize the events that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia on September 11, 2001. Those essays not read aloud will be made available in a binder for public display during the observance and will later be submitted to the West Chicago City Museum as a permanent reflection of the community's remembrances of that fateful day in American history.
The West Chicago Community Choir, under the direction of Jo Noonan, will sing An American Medley. Flashlights and American flags will be distributed to the public by the VFW Post #6791 Ladies Auxiliary with the help of local Boy Scout Troop 21 prior to the start of the observance. The lighting of flashlights at twilight will be followed by the singing of God Bless America by the First United Methodist Church of West Chicago's choir, under the direction of Ron Benner.
Members of the West Chicago Fire Protection District will perform a Five Bells Ceremony which dates back to the days of the telegraph. Originally signaling the end of a tour of duty, the ringing of the bells will symbolize the lives lost on 9/11.
The observance will conclude with a Twenty-one Gun Salute by members of American Legion Post #300 and VFW Post #6791, the playing of Taps by two Community High School buglers, a benediction and moment of remembrance and the retirement of colors escorted by a bagpiper.
The planning committee hopes to provide a meaningful observance that will pay tribute to those who lost their lives or risked them to help others, memorialize the events for future generations and celebrate America's strength and unity.
Parking will be available at the Turtle Splash Water Park parking lot, 129 W. National Street, and along adjacent city streets. For additional information, contact the City of West Chicago at (630) 293-2200 or visit www.westchicago.org.