COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans today will mark the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
Governor John Kasich has ordered flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset in honor of the lives lost in the attacks and has Ohioans observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m.
“We urge all Ohioans to observe Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance with appropriate ceremonies, activities and remembrance services to honor the victims of the attacks on September 11th as well as pay tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces and first responders who stand ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we cherish most,” reads a resolution issued by Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Police Chief Kim Jacobs and Fire Chief Gregory Paxton will take part in the city’s observance at City Hall at noon.
Memorial events scheduled in central Ohio include:
7:30 a.m. – Motts Military Museum, 5075 S Hamilton Road in Groveport, will be the site of a ceremony conducted by the Madison Township Fire Department in front of Hook and Ladder Truck #18 from the Ft. Pitt Fire Department. This truck was parked outside the World Trade Center buildings when they collapsed, and debris from the falling structures destroyed the truck. The museum’s collection of 9/11 memorabilia includes a New York Police Department SUV and detective’s car, both of which were also crushed by falling debris. In storage at Motts are signs from in front of the WTC buildings, parts of a stairwell, marble flooring, a tower that was atop one of the skyscrapers, a section from the basement obtained after the first bombing attempt years earlier, and some other artifacts.
8:30 a.m. – Division of State Fire Marshal, 8895 E. Main Street in Reynoldsburg. Wreath Laying Ceremony at Ohio Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
8:30 a.m. – Jackson Township Fire Division Station 204, 4900 Buckeye Parkway in Grove City. Prayer and Remembrance Ceremony. Station 204, which opened in May, was selected because of its 9/11 Memorial complete with an I-beam recovered from World Trade Center ashes in New York City.
Noon – Columbus City Council Chambers, 90 W. Broad Street City of Columbus 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony honoring the victims, and paying tribute to the first responders, military, veterans and ordinary citizens who risked and lost their lives.
6:00 p.m. – Dedication of the 911 Reflection Garden in Hilliard, 5171/5181 Northwest Parkway, which features the flagpole from the World Trade Center. After the dedication, participants are welcome to march with our first responders ½ mile to First Responders Park on Main Street for the conclusion of the memorial ceremony.