OGDEN — A program unveiling the start of a memorial in Kaysville, which honors 9/11 victims with Utah ties, will serve as a local highlight today in what has become the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The day of remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups. They worked to establish the charitable service day as a forward-looking way to honor 9/11 victims, survivors and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks, said Susan Hayward, Utah Commission on Volunteers program manager.
Individuals are being encouraged to take the opportunity to honor the memory of 9/11 today by joining in service projects taking place in their communities.
In honor of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and as a tribute to the heroes who came to their country’s aid, Gov. Gary R. Herbert has ordered all flags on state-owned facilities to be flown at half-staff today.
“Utahns will never forget one of our nation’s darkest days, or the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 innocent lives. We will always remember the selfless first responders, military personnel and citizens who aided in rescue, recovery and rebuilding,” Herbert said in a prepared statement.
One of the larger gatherings today in Utah is taking place at 6:30 a.m. at Utah State University Botanical Garden Center in Kaysville. There, a 9/11 memorial is under construction to pay tribute to those Utahns killed in the Sept. 11 attacks and subsequent military action.
The ceremony at the gardens, 920 S. 50 West, will feature the doves of peace, musical numbers and keynote addresses by Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Brian L. Tarbet and Adam Gardiner, representing Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.
A motorcade of the Patriot Guard motorcycle group will begin at 6:20 a.m. from Kaysville Junior High School to the gardens.
The early start time of the ceremony is in tribute to 9/11 victim Mary Alice Wahlstrom and her daughter Carolyn Beug, of Kaysville, who were aboard American Airlines flight 11 when the hijacked plane crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower at 6:47 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, said Margaret Brough, ceremony coordinator.
The memorial is being paid for with donations collected through Davis County Youth of Promise.
Other ceremonies commemorating 9/11 today include a 9 a.m. tribute assembly at Wasatch Elementary School in Clearfield, 270 E. Center St.
Lt. Gov. Greg Bell will present to the students a flag that has flown over the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Hill Air Force Base and the U.S. Capitol.
Guest speaker Camille Mortensen will speak on the importance of the day. Mortensen is the sister of Brady Howell, a man with ties to Davis County who was killed Sept. 11, 2001, when a plane hijacked by terrorists struck the Pentagon where Howell was working.
The Farmington Fire Department will hold a short 9/11 memorial service today beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the fire station at 82 N. 100 East.
In conjunction with the remembrance, the Farmington Trails Committee invites hikers to depart at 7:05 a.m. for a hike to Flag Rock.
The Utah Commission on Volunteers has been working with four organizations throughout the state, one of them Weber State University in Ogden, to provide opportunities for Utah residents to serve on this year’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.
“There are so many activities taking place throughout the state, and so many opportunities, that everyone can participate on some level," said LaDawn Stoddard, with the Utah Commission on Volunteers.
To learn more about participating, visit volunteers.utah.gov.
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