Remembering 9/11 in Arizona
Apache Junction
The Veterans’ groups in Apache Junction and Pinal County have organized a short ceremony to mark the anniversary of 9/11/01 on Sunday. The groups will be holding a solemn wreath ceremony at the Apache Junction Veterans Memorial Gazebo, 1001 N. Idaho (northeast corner of Idaho and Superstition). The ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m.
Gilbert
Join the Gilbert Fire and Rescue and Police Departments in remembering and honoring those affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, this Sunday from 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Gilbert’s 9/11 Memorial at Gilbert Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert.
The short program will include a joint Police and Fire Honor Guard presentation of colors, the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department Pipe and Drum band, as well as remarks from Mayor Jenn Daniels, Fire Chief Jim Jobusch and Police Chief Tim Dorn.
A lighted memorial in the sky will also be visible Sunday from 7:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Goodyear
The United Goodyear Firefighters L4005, in conjunction with the Goodyear Fire and Police Departments, will be hosting their annual 9-11 Memorial Ceremony along with a pancake breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 11. The community is invited to come out to join both fire and police officers on this special day of remembrance.
The memorial is taking place at Goodyear Fire Station #183, located at 3075 North Litchfield Rd. (just north of the YMCA, between Thomas Rd and Indian School Rd).
The traditional flag raising ceremony will begin at 7:30 a.m. followed by a short memorial service. Immediately following the memorial service a pancake breakfast will be served by Goodyear Firefighters. Donations will be accepted by the United Goodyear Firefighters Charities with all monies going towards providing support to locally-based charitable organizations.
Oro Valley:
On Sunday, September 11, 8-9 a.m., the community is invited to gather at James D. Kriegh Park (23 W. Calle Concordia) to commemorate the lives lost on 9/11, to honor our first responders and to dedicate a plaque at the Freedom’s Steadfast Angel of Love statue, in memory of Christina-Taylor Green.
The morning’s ceremony will include comments from Oro Valley Interim Town Manager Daniel G. Sharp, Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath, Golder Ranch Fire Chief Randy Karrer, Mountain Vista Fire Chief Cheryl Horvath, Northwest Fire Chief Michael Brandt, Pima County Sherriff Chris Nanos and Christina-Taylor’s father, John Green.
At approximately 8:47 a.m., the Green family will release 15 pink and purple balloons in honor of Christina-Taylor’s 15th birthday.
Scottsdale:
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11. In recognition, the city of Scottsdale is hosting a free 9/11 Memorial Tribute, Sept. 7-13, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The center is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday beginning at noon for the ceremony.
The tribute includes a mini-museum in the center’s atrium. The display is being installed Tuesday, with completion targeted by 5 pm. The exhibition features the two-story National Unity Flag, photos and video from 9/11, memorabilia from retired FDNY and NYPD, and supersized props of the Twin Towers, Pentagon, plane wing and large metal flag – made of steel, brass and polycarbonate. These specially-built models will display a memorial card of every individual who lost their life on Sept. 11 in the attacks. The memorial cards were created and donated by Scottsdale resident Lisa Vella.
A special installation of a piece of steel from the World Trade Centers will take place at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 7, in the atrium. The steel will be escorted from Harley Davidson of Scottsdale to the Scottsdale Center of the Performing Arts. The piece of steel also will be on display from Sept. 2-6 at the Harley Davidson store, 15656 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale.
There will be a special ceremony on Sept. 11. The reading of the names of those who lost their lives will begin at 2 p.m. in the atrium. The 9/11 Remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil begins at 5 p.m. in the adjacent Virginia G. Piper Theater. The ceremony will feature a panel of first responders who were in New York City during and after the towers fell. Also scheduled to speak is Luis Gonzales, a retired Arizona Diamondbacks player, who will share his thoughts about winning the World Series during that tumultuous time.
“This week-long Tribute is a chance for all of us to remember and reflect on the impact this event had on our community,” said Fire Chief Tom Shannon. “Out of the sorrow of 9/11 came a commitment to give back. At this year’s 9/11 Tribute, we encourage individuals to pledge to help a person, our community or our nation through an act of kindness or service.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the National 9/11 Day “I Will” campaign that inspires each person to think of a good deed in honor of 9/11. “I Will” pledge cards will be available to fill out during the week and the ceremony.
“We hope visitors will experience the overwhelming effect of how many people lost their lives that day,” said Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane. “But we also want everyone to remember what came out of the attacks: the spirit of unity, peace and hope. We persevere.”
Sedona
The Sedona Fire District invites the community to the dedication ceremony for the 9/11 Memorial on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Sedona Fire District Fire Station #6, located at 2675 State Route 179, between Chapel Road and Meadowlark Drive. The dedication ceremony will start at 1 pm. A free light lunch will be served to attendees at noon.
The centerpiece is a steel girder from the World Trade Center ruins in New York City. The Sedona Fire District (SFD) is honored to have received one of the last remaining artifacts from the World Trade Center. The 5.5-foot, 3,000-pound piece of steel is believed to be from the 20th floor of one of the Twin Towers.
Tempe
The Healing Fields are presented by the Exchange Club of Tempe and The City of Tempe and is FREE to the public. It will be open for viewing 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Sunday, Sept. 11. There will be a candlelight vigil on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.