Published: September 10, 2009 09:55 pm      

Region to remember 9/11

BLUEFIELD — The region will once again pause today to remember the victims of 9-11.

The innocent civilians in the World Trade Center. The employees in the Pentagon. The heroic passengers on United Flight 93 who decided to fight back. And the many firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel who perished eight years ago today.

Today — as declared by Congress and President Barack Obama — is a national day of service and remembrance. Several local memorial activities are planned across the region.

The city of Bluefield will pay tribute and honor fallen heroes today at noon as part of a 9-11 ceremony at Chicory Square in downtown Bluefield. The ceremony will begin at noon with a presentation of colors by the Bluefield High School Color Guard JROTC. Music will be provided by the Bluefield High School Beaver Band. The last call bell ceremony will be provided by the Bluefield Fire Department and Col. William Aldridge will deliver the keynote memorial address.

Citizens of the city are encouraged to come out and honor those who who were lost eight years ago today, those who served and those who still serve, according to a press release by City Manager Andy Merriman.

Also today, the town of Bramwell will sponsor a silent parade to remember the victims of 9-11. The procession will begin at 7 p.m. at the Kroger in Bluewell off of U.S. Route 52, then proceed to Bramwell where a memorial and candlelight service will be held.

“The silent parade will go, in cars, from the Kroger in Bluewell to Bramwell,” Mayor Louise Stoker said in an earlier report. “There will be vehicles that are emergency responders with their lights on, but no sirens, so it will be a silent parade.”

The public and all local fire departments, police departments, rescue squads, medical service personnel, all active military personnel and all veterans are invited to participate in the parade and attend the memorial.

The 9-11 events will continue through the weekend.

A 9-11 remembrance walk sponsored by the Falls Mills Fishing Club and the Falls Mills community will begin at 9 a.m. at the Falls Mills Dam. Residents of the Falls Mills community will walk five miles around the Falls Mills Dam in memory of the victims of Sept. 11.

On Sunday, Bluefield Elks Lodge No. 269 will host a 9/11 and Local First Responders Tribute at the David’s At The Club Ballroom on 1501 Whitethorn Street in Bluefield. Members of first responding agencies across Mercer County and surrounding counties are invited to attend, as well as the public.

The Junior ROTC from Bluefield High School will present the American flag, plus there will be a 9/11 tribute with a slide show and music. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with the program starting at 4 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m.

To show the community’s appreciation, the Bluefield Elks will provide dinner for the area’s first responders. Including barbecue, chicken, pasta, salads and dessert. The dinners also will be provided to first responders who cannot attend the ceremony because they are on duty, according to an earlier report by Dr. Robert Stevens of the Bluefield Elks.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com