The anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks offers us all a chance to reflect on our shared grief and the hope, resilience, and unity that lifted us up as a nation in the aftermath. Twenty years later, these lessons are more important than ever.
Edgerton Parks and Recreation created a list of some simple things you can do on 9/11:
Donate:
- Never Forget Fund, which benefits the 9/11 Memorial and Museum which will help a new generation learn about this important day in our history.
https://secure.everyaction.com/Yae2bxY0H0yK8TsfuRFBpw2/
- The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for post-secondary education to dependents of those that were killed or permanently disabled in 9/11 attacks or their aftermath.
https://www.familiesoffreedom.org/donate/
Gratitude to your local first responders by giving a thank you card or snacks. The men and women who devote their lives to protecting and serving our community deserve gratitude for their courage.
Volunteer in your community for National Day of Service. Give back to your community by picking up any trash in your neighborhood, checking in on your elderly neighbor, donate blood, or donate unwanted items to a charitable thrift store.
Share stories among your family of how you remember 9/11/2001. Remember the sacrifices and bravery of those first responders on that day and of our local first responders. After discussion, hold a moment of silence to honor the heroes who lost their lives.
Explore https://911lesson.org/ or https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/september11th/ with children for various activities and ways to learn about September 11th, 2001.
Take the stairs. Every year on 9/11 around the country there are memorial stair climbs. There is one in downtown Kansas City that takes place at the Town Pavilion high rise. This is a 110-story climb done by 343 firefighters in remembrance of the 343 FDNY firefighters that lost their lives on 9/11/2001. You may not climb 110 stories of stairs, but you can do your own memorial stair climb at a local high school or football stadium that allows public access to their bleachers to remember those firefighters climbing to the top of the World Trade Center on that day to help rescue people.
Create a patriotic handprint to be a patriot on Patriot’s Day. You can find the full directions at https://b-inspiredmama.com/kids-craft-patriotic-hand-print/. All you need is some paper, paint, and paintbrushes.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum virtually with an interactive tour of the facility. https://www.911memorial.org/visit/about-your-visit/learn-and-explore-home/interactive-museum-experience
Memorial Services from around the region:
9/11 Memorial Service
9/11 7:30-9:30 AM
Overland Park Fire Training Center
12401 Hemlock Street Overland Park, KS 66213
Solemn service to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
For the event schedule please go to:
https://www.opkansas.org/events/9-11-memorial-service/
9/11 Memorial Lights
9/11 7:00-10:00 PM
Overland Park Fire Training Center
12401 Hemlock Street Overland Park, KS 66213
Memorial light towers will shine into the sky to represent the twin towers at Overland Park’s 9/11 Memorial.
Event details: https://www.opkansas.org/events/9-11-memorial-lights-2-2021-09-11/
9/11 Memorial Freedom Ruck
9/11 8:00-11:00 AM
Army Legends Recruiting Office
1813 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111
Guests gather in the parking lot of the Army Recruiting Office, the even will start with a moment of silence at 8:40 AM to honor the lives lost, then the march will begin at 8:46 AM which was the moment the first plane struck the Twin Towers. Participants will proceed down Parallel Parkway and return back after completing 9.11 KM.
For complete information: https://legendsshopping.com/events/community/9-11-memorial-freedom-march/
All of these are free to the public.
More options are available at: https://preparemetrokc.org/events-commemorating-the-20th-anniversary-of-sept-11-2001/
