To mark the occassion of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, sirens across the county will join in by firing at noon, part of a nationwide observance of the date. The effort is part of a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to recognize the anniversary.
The area sirens firing, as well as participating churches ringing their bells is part of a nationwide observance of the anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks to happen on U.S. soil. U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg introduced in Congress calling for a nationwide moment of remembrance on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It calls on Americans to come together at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Sept. 11 for "a minute of reflection and ringing of bells and sounding of sirens across the country." Lautenberg says the occasion would be "a striking symbol of American solidarity."
The firing of sirens is just one item that will take place recognizing the 10th anniversary Sunday. Governor Scott Walker issued an Executive Order Thursday to lower flags on Sunday, September 11 to half-staff to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Members of the Armed Forces defending our freedom overseas.
Meanwhile, in Platteville, Josh Lisenby, campus program event producer at UW-Platteville, announced the two days of events the university has going on for observing the anniversary. Lisenby explained they have requested through the Pentagon to have military members who were on site on 9/11 to be a part of the Platteville events. He said the request was approved, but he is not sure how many military personnel will be on site.
Organizers are planning to have 3,000 flags posted in the ground on Sept. 11 and 12. The two-day commemoration will be highlighted by guest speaker Dan Holdridge, a 9/11 survivor who was in the Pentagon at the time of the attacks. According to his website, when the Pentagon was attacked on 9/11, everyone 10 feet away on the other side of the wall next to Holdridge was killed, while he survived. Feeling handpicked by God to live, Holdridge has a personal mission to honor the 184 heroes who died that day at the Pentagon. Holdridge has written a book, “Pentagon Prayer,” which is available for purchase at the university bookstore at the Markee Pioneer Student Center.
Holdridge will be hosting a meet and greet at the Markee Pioneer Student Center on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. He will speak at Ullsvik Hall at 7 p.m.
The entire schedule includes:
Sept. 11 – Northwest patio of the Markee Pioneer Student Center
• 9 p.m. – UW-Platteville Choir
• 9 p.m. – Candlelight vigil
• 9:10 p.m. – Chancellor speech
• 9:20 p.m. – Veterans’ Club speaker
• 9:30 p.m. – Moment of silence
Sept. 12
• 8:45 a.m. – Flag raising (near Ullsvik Hall)
• 8:45 a.m. – Taps (near Ullsvik Hall)
• 9:11 a.m. – Moment of silence (campus wide)
• Chancellor speech (near Ullsvik Hall)
• 9:30 a.m. – noon: Wall to write “Remember where you were.” (Northwest patio of the Markee Pioneer Student Center).
• 9:30 a.m. – noon – Question and answer with military witnesses of 9-11. (Northwest patio of the Markee Pioneer Student Center.)
• 6:30 p.m. – Dan Holdridge meet and greet and book signing (Alumni Lounge – Markee Pioneer Student Center).
• 7 p.m. – Dan Holdridge speaking (Velzy Commons – Ullsvik Hall).
Lisenby also noted there will be military vehicles on campus during the two days.
All events are open to the public.
