Area prepares for 9/11 remembrances

In remembrance of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, communities and organizations have planned a variety of public memorials and commemorations this weekend.

Most events not only pay tribute to the thousands who died at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and in the four crashed planes, but they also honor all first responders and military troops who continue to fight to save lives and protect the nation on a daily basis.

Saturday 9/11 events:

ONSLOW COUNTY

Tunnel to Towers Run, Jacksonville

The USO of North Carolina is sponsoring a 5k Run/Walk in partnership with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Saturday to commemorate 9/11.

Proceeds will be used to support and assist military and their families through the USO of North Carolina, Jacksonville Center along with first responders through the Stephen Siller Foundation, according to a USO release.

Interested volunteers or sponsors should contact the USO at 910-455-3411.

For individual and team registrations, visit tunneltotowersrun.org/jacksonville.aspx. Registration per participant is $30 the day of the race.

The race will start at the USO Jacksonville, located at 9 Tallman St., at 7:30 a.m.

9/11 Observance Cookout, Jacksonville

Angels’ Voices Speak Up, Inc.! will host a 9/11 Observance Cookout at 130 Wilson Court from 2 to 5 p.m.

CARTERET COUNTY

Memorial event benefits wounded warriors, Morehead City

The Morehead City-Beaufort Elks Lodge No. 1710 will join the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Pet Adoption & Welfare Society of Carteret to hold a memorial event to remember the 9/11/2001.

The event, honoring first responders as well as veterans who defend the country’s freedom, will be held at the lodge, located at 400 Miller Farm Road in Morehead City. It includes a ride from the lodge through Newport, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and Cape Carteret then back to the lodge. Food, music, games for the kids, and a silent auction will be included. Troops from the Wounded Warriors Barracks in Jacksonville will join the benefit. The cost is $25 to participate which includes food, music. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The ride starts at 1 p.m. Sponsorships are also available. Call 252-808-0043 or 252-725-5100.

Sunday 9/11 events:

ONSLOW COUNTY

Camp Lejeune Memorial Gardens, Jacksonville

A Patriot Day ceremony celebration begins at 8 a.m. at the corner of Lejeune Boulevard and Montford Landing Road. Participants will gather at the memorial’s World Trade Center beam, which was dedicated in 2003 by the New York Fire Department, in honor of the support the Marine Corps gave as the city recovered from the attacks, as well as their continuing efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At 8:46 a.m., the ceremony will stop as the group joins the nation in a moment of silence.

At noon, Franciscan Monks will ring the NYFD bell at the memorial for the lives lost on that day in 2001.

9/11 Prayer at the Onslow County Courthouse, Jacksonville

People are invited to gather on the steps of the Onslow County Courthouse, located at 625 Court Street at noon. For 30 minutes participants will join in silent prayer for families and friends of 9/11 victims, as well as local police and fire departments, and the safety of the nation as a whole.

Honor and Remembrance Ceremony

Woodmen of the World Lodge 0564 will hold a special community ceremony to honor the heroes and victims of Sept. 11. at First Baptist Church, located at 100 Rand St. in Richlands at 12:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop #215 of Richlands will participate in the ceremony which will include a salute to community heroes who help ensure safety every day.

For more information contact Joey Anderson at 910-358-2948 or Rick Bulla at 910-389-8646.

Community Commemoration

At 2 p.m. at Northside High School, located at 365 Commons Drive South, the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee will recreate the connection felt community-wide in Jacksonville on the day the tragedy occurred as members came together to help friends and family affected by the disaster. The Jacksonville High School Orchestra will perform in conjunction with the observation.

Operation Homefront Freedom Walk

At 7 p.m., Operation Homefront, a national non-profit, will have its inaugural Freedom Walk in Northeast Creek Park, located at 910 Corbin Road, until 8:30 p.m. Candles will be provided for all who want to take part in the mobile vigil.

CARTERET COUNTY

Town of Beaufort 9/11 ceremony

First responders and citizens are invited to gather for a 9/11 ceremony at Beaufort Docks, located at 500 Front St., beginning at 7:45 a.m. sponsored by the Town of Beaufort. Local churches have been asked to ring bells/chimes at 7:55 a.m. until 7:56 a.m.

Baptist church recognize first responders

Cape Carteret Baptist Church will recognize local first responders during Sunday services at 9 a.m. and 10:30. Also during the morning services, a video will be shown of 9/11 recollections by church member Chuck Stram, a retired New York City firefighter who knew many of the first responders at the World Trade Center terrorist attack.

Church hosts remembrance

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 111 Hodges St., Morehead City, will host is second annual Civic Appreciation Day on the church grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be in remembrance of Sept. 11 and to show appreciation to those who serve the citizens of Carteret County. All public servants and their families are invited, as well as the general public. Live entertainment will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free barbecue plates will be provided beginning at 11 a.m.

Havelock memorial service

The City of Havelock will unveil a steel piece of the World Trade Center during its 9/11 memorial ceremony and welcomes and encourages the public to participate. The service begins at 8 a.m. at the Havelock Police and Fire Department building, located at 2 Governmental Ave.

REGIONAL

Hope for the Warriors, Wallace

Hosted by River Landing, located at 110 River Village Place in Wallace the weekend, honoring and thanking members of the military as well as first responders impacted on 9/11, includes a VIP Cocktail Reception, Golf Tournament, 5K Run, Memorial Ceremony, James Wesley Concert, and Poker Run. The mission of Hope For The Warriors is to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.

For more information or to register click here.

For James Wesley Memorial Concert contact Peggy@hopeforthewarriors.org or call 910-938-1817.

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, Wilmington

Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear Volunteer Center will host 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance to pay tribute to the tragedy’s first responders. Its goal is to have 1,000 people holding flags, lining the entrance to the ceremony at the CFCC’s Safety Training Center at its north campus, located at 4500 Blue Clay Road.

Bells will ring at the times of impact of the Pentagon, both towers and United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa. A steel piece recovered from the fallen towers will be dedicated as an artifact as part of the school’s 9/11 memorial.

Participants should arrive at 7:30 a.m. with coats to be donated to Special Forces, as well as paperback books and toiletries for the troops. Chairs and blankets are welcome. For more info, click here.