APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The City of Appleton will hold a solemn procession and ceremony to honor the victims and first responders of the 9/11 attacks on Saturday.
“It’s a pretty jam-packed morning, really starting at 8:45. The ceremony should and before 10:00. We really hope that people can come to Appleton to unite and pay their respects,” said Appleton Parade Committee Chairperson Corey Otis. “We really want to pay respect to those who lost their lives, and we also want to honor the heroic acts that we saw in the days afterward, and really the years afterward… We promised that we would never forget 20 years ago, and we need to keep that promise.”
At 8:45 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center, the solemn procession will begin. The route is two blocks long: it begins at Fire Station #1, at the corner of Atlantic and Drew, and moves south on Drew Street to City Park. Procession participants include the Appleton Police and Fire Departments, local military veteran groups, and Clan Donald Pipes and Drums.
At 9:03 a.m., the time when the second plane hit the World Trade Center, the commemorative ceremony will begin in Appleton’s City Park. The event will include music from the City Band and Clan Donald Pipes and Drums; remarks from Mayor Jacob Woodford, Police Chief Todd Thomas, Fire Chief Jeremy J. Hansen, and John Oakley from Appleton VFW Post 2778; and traditional memorial tributes, including the laying of the wreath, rifle salute, and playing of “Taps.” The ceremony is expected to last no more than one hour. Seating will not be provided, so spectators should bring their own chairs or stand during the ceremony.
Local houses of worship are asked to ring their bells at the following times on Saturday, September 11:
8:45 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) – in remembrance of those who died when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 a.m. – in remembrance of those who died when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
9:43 a.m. – in remembrance of those who died when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.
10:00 a.m. – in remembrance of those who died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pa.
Noon – in remembrance of all those lost to acts of terrorism.
Otis points out that there is a significant number of people in the community who were either too young to really remember the events of 9/11 – or who hadn’t even been born in 2001. He says sharing the stories with those people, and remembering personal experiences, is important.
“It’s amazing to me how fast time flies. I can remember vividly where I was when it happened, I can tell the story without really thinking too hard,” Otis told WTAQ News. “It’s really important for us to continue to tell the stories of those we lost, the lessons we learned, of the heroism that we saw.”
Follow the Appleton Memorial Day Parade on Facebook for news and updates on Appleton’s “9/11: A Day to Remember” Procession and Ceremony.
