Communities throughout the Fox Valley will gather to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania this Saturday. Here’s a rundown of those planned commemorations.
Aurora
Six Aurora firefighters were deployed to New York City immediately following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. After a non-stop sixteen-hour drive to New York, they worked for four intense days on rescue and recovery efforts. They returned home, forever impacted by what they experienced.
Two decades later, the six heroes will be special guests at Aurora’s September 11 Ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that fateful day.
Hosted by the Aurora Fire Department, the Aurora Police, and Mayor Richard C. Irvin, the ceremony will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 11 at the RiverEdge Park Bridge, 360 N. Broadway in downtown Aurora.
The theme is ‘In Remembrance of Those Who Passed. In Reverence for Those Who Served.”
“Twenty years ago, our world was forever changed with the horrific attacks on September 11,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. “We honor those who sadly lost their lives and those who were called to serve in response. I salute my fellow veterans who stood up to defend and protect our nation these past two decades. And, as we reflect on what happened on September 11, 2001, we also honor our own Aurora firefighters who quickly traveled to New York and returned home as heroes.”
Those heroes – current Battalion Chief Jason Dema, Battalion Chief Randy Leek, Captain Will Torres and retired firefighters Gary Pozzi, Mark Lockwood, and Tim Pogue – will be special guests at the ceremony and recognized for their deeds.
Battalion Chief Demas will speak on behalf of the group and reflect on their life-changing duties in New York City.
In addition, four memorial bells will toll to mark the times the four airplanes crashed. The first bell will toll at 7:46 a.m. to mark the time Flight 11 crashed into North Tower. The second bell will toll at 8:03 a.m. to mark when Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. The third bell will toll at 8:37 a.m. to mark Flight 77’s crash into the Pentagon. Finally, the fourth bell will toll 9:03 a.m. to mark Flight 93 crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Between the first and second bells, the names of the 38 victims born or who lived in Illinois will be read in tribute to all victims of the attacks.
During the ceremony, Aurora Gold Star families will be recognized, remarks will be made by Mayor Richard Irvin, Aurora Fire Chief Gary Krienitz, Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross, and Aurora Poet Laureate Karen Christensen; and a joint APD & AFD Honor Guard will present the colors and lay a memorial wreath.
The ceremony is open to the public. To register, click here.
Batavia
Patriot Day memorial in Batavia: 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Batavia Overseas Veterans of Wars Post 1197, 645 S. River St. Music by Bill Gray starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the memorial reflection at 7 p.m. Visit vfw1197.org.
Elgin
In partnership with the American Legion, the City of Elgin will host its annual September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. at the newly renovated Civic Center Plaza, located behind City Hall within the Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex.
All are invited to attend this service, on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, to remember those in public service who lost their lives and to honor those who continue to serve today. The ceremony will feature speakers and the national anthem will be performed by the Baptist Providence College Ensemble.
This ceremony is free to the public and limited seating will be available. Participants may want to consider bringing a chair.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will move indoors to the Hemmens Cultural Center, located at 45 Symphony Way.
For more information please contact Special Events Coordinator Kate O’Leary at 847-931-6770 or visit cityofelgin.org/events
Geneva
Geneva 9/11 Memorial Ceremony: 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, on the Festival of the Vine central stage, West State and North Fourth streets, Geneva. Join in a remembrance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 as Andrea Schmidt sings the national anthem, accompanied by the duo, Paul and Jay. Visit genevachamber.com.
Naperville
Hosted by the Naperville Exchange Club, the ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11 by the Shanower Memorial. (In the event of rain, the event will take place in Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center.)
Music for this year’s ceremony will be provided by the Naperville Municipal Band and Naperville Men’s Glee Club starting at 8:30 a.m., with the ceremony itself beginning at 8:46 a.m. The featured speaker will be José Santiago, retired Chicago Fire Department Fire Commissioner. The ceremony will also include remarks by Naperville Interim Police Chief Jason Arres and Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis.
St. Charles
The St. Charles Fire Department is holding its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, outside at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, 2 E. Main St.
The ceremony honors first responders who put duty before self and those who lost their lives that day.
The ceremony will begin with the posting of colors, followed by remarks from speakers, posting the Fire Department Memorial Flag, placing the memorial wreath, and observing a moment of silence. The ceremony will be posted on the City of St. Charles Facebook page.
