September 10, 2009

Arlington Remembers September 11
Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony is Friday at Heroes Park

At 8:30 a.m. Friday, Arlington will remember September 11, 2001 with a Patriot Day Memorial Service at Heroes Park.

The 30-minute program will include remarks by Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Police Chief Dr. Theron Bowman and Fire Chief Robin Paulsgrove.

Opened in 2008 as a memorial to fallen Arlington police and fire officials, Heroes Park is located at 2100 W. Green Oaks Blvd. in west Arlington next to the West Police Service Center.

All Americans are asked to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m., which is the time of the first attack on Sept. 11.

On September 11, the U.S. president directs that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff and displayed from individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments home and abroad.

The attacks on Sept. 11 resulted in almost 3,000 fatalities, the largest loss of life from a hostile attack by a foreign entity on American soil.

“Arlington will never forget how our country came together, how partisanship and everyday differences were put aside and replaced by a common purpose,” the Mayor said. “On this day, we owe the victims and their families our remembrance and our respect.”

Friday’s memorial is open to the public.