Northwest suburban Sept. 11 observances

Several area groups will observe the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks on Thursday:

• Palatine will host a ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial at Brockway and Slade street downtown. Speakers are Mayor Rita Mullins, Deputy Fire Chief Robert Falardeau and Deputy Police Chief Brad Grossman. The Fremd High School band and choir will perform.

• The Des Plaines fire and police departments, American Legion Post 36, VFW Post 2992 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 311 will host a Patriot Day ceremony at 8 a.m. outside the civic center, 1420 Miner St. The program includes a color guard and presentation of wreaths; words from Mayor Tony Arredia, Police Chief Jim Prandini, Fire Chief Randy Jaeger and Police Officer Matt Jones, who just returned from Iraq; and live performances of the national anthem, "Taps" and "Amazing Grace."

• Hoffman Estates' ceremony takes place at 8 a.m. at Village Green, 2850 Pratum Ave. across from Sears Centre. State veterans affairs Tammy Duckworth is scheduled to speak, in addition to other speakers, song and prayer. Donations will be collected for the Illinois Military Relief Fund.

• The Mount Prospect police and fire department will host their remembrance at 9 a.m. at the Public Safety Building, 112 E. Northwest Hwy, featuring a bell and bagpipe ceremony and words from Mayor Irvana Wilks, Fire Chief Michael Figolah and Deputy Police Chief Robert Rzepecki.

• Glenview will unveil its Freedom Memorial, honoring all military branches and veterans, at 6:30 p.m. at Gallery Park in the Glen at Patriot and Navy boulevards. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is the principal speaker. Veterans are asked to check in by 6:15 p.m.

Residents are also encouraged to fly their flags and half-staff and observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, when the first plane crashed.

To add an event to this list, contact Diana Wallace at (847) 427-4471 or at dwallace@dailyherald.com.