Local Events Observing 15th Anniversary Of 9-11 Attacks
A US flag hoisted by a crane hangs over onlookers at the 2015 9-11 memorial ceremony at West Side Park in Champaign. Jim Meadows/Illinois Public Media
From solemn ceremonies to motor cruises, east-central Illinois is hosting a variety of events this Sunday to observe the 15th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, that killed nearly 3,000 people in Manhattan, Washington, D.C. and rural Pennsylvania.
Memorial ceremonies are planned in Champaign-Urbana to mark the hour when the 9-11 attacks occurred.
The Urbana Police & Fire departments will hold a Flag Lowering Ceremony at 7:30 AM outside the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine Street in downtown Urbana.
The Champaign Fire Department will hold a Memorial Service at 8:46 AM at the Fire and Police Memorial in West Side Park, 400 W. University Avenue (at the corner of University and State).
The American Legion Post 559 on 704 North Hickory Street in Champaign will hold a 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at 5 PM, outside in the post’s parking lot. Seating is limited and the public is asked to bring their own chairs.
In Decatur, the 8th Annual “Cruise 11 to Remember 9-11” will be held all day at Central Park, 213 N. Franklin St.. The event includes a 9-11 memorial service at 2 pm and an 11-mile Memorial Cruise at 3 pm. Proceeds will buy Christmas gifts for Central Illinois veterans in need.
The Annual 9-11 Memorial Ride in Vermilion County --- presented by the I & I Firefighters Association --- remembers all who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks. Registration starts at 8 AM at the McDonald’s on North Vermilion in Danville, with Bike Blessings at 9:40 AM. The Ride is open to all vehicles with a $10 donation. Proceeds will benefit the I & I Firefighters Association Fallen Firefighter Fund.
Some churches will observe the 9-11 anniversary with their regular morning services. These include:
The First Baptist Church of Danville, 1211 N. Vermilion, Danville; Red, White and Blue worship service at 10:45 AM, honoring First Responders.
Apostolic Life Pentecostal Church, 2107 North High Cross Road, northeast of Urbana. Community Appreciation Sunday Honoring Law Enforcement, First Responders and Public Servants, 10:30 AM. Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb and former Urbana Fire Chief Mike Dilley will be guests.
UniPlace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 403 S. Wright Street, Champaign. “9-1-1 Responding To The Call Community Day Of Service”. Worshipers at the regular 10 AM Sunday service will do hands-on service work at in the community. Projects sites include Garden Hills Elementary School in Champaign, the Champaign County Nursing Home in Urbana, and Open Door Neighborhood Ministry.
In addition, the Episcopal Chapel of St. John The Divine, 1011 S. Wright Street, Champaign (near the U of I campus) will conduct an Solemn Evensong service in memory of those killed in the 9-11 attacks at 5:15 PM. Choral music by the Canterbury Choir.
And the Wesleyan Student Center at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1203 W. Green Street, Urbana (near the U of I campus) will host Day of Service activities from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The campus groups Illini Fighting Hunger, Volunteer Illini Projects and Alpha Phi Omega are sponsoring the event, in which volunteers will package of 4,000 lbs. of beans and reflect on the impact of service to those in need. For more information, contact the university’s Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs at 217-333-7424 or ovp@illinois.edu.