Remembering 9/11
Let Freedom Ring! 9/11 Ten Years Later
Sunday, September 11, 2011
1:30pm-3:15pm
24th Street Park - Virginia Beach Oceanfront

July 8, 2011

Virginia Beach, Virginia – Sunday, September 11th, 2011, will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11. In observance of this seminal moment in American history, millions of people in all 50 states and many others throughout the world will engage in solemn remembrance and reflection on an attack on American soil that claimed thousands of lives and changed the fabric of the nation.  The events of that tragic day seem just like yesterday to many, and are crystallized in our minds.

On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked. The hijackers then deliberately flew three of the planes into two important buildings, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The loss of life and damage that these hijackings caused form the biggest act of terrorism ever in the United States. Nearly 3000 people died in the attacks and the economic impact was immense.

The City of Virginia Beach will commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a program to be held in the 24th Street Park on Sunday, September 11, beginning at 1:30pm.  This event will take a historical look back at what occurred on that day, the continuing war in Afghanistan, but most of all celebrate the future through the vision and rebirth of the World Trade Center and Freedom Tower.  Included will be reminders of the impact of 9/11 on Pennsylvania and the Pentagon.

Let Freedom Ring! 9/11 Ten Years Later will be a tribute to heroism, a greater future, and a celebration of American resilience and commitment to freedom.

The program will feature comments by City of Virginia Beach Police Chief Jim A. Cervera and Fire Chief Steven R. Cover, both members of the original FEMA team on September 11, 2001.  Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr., will host the event.  The Tidewater Winds and the Virginia Beach Chorale will provide musical reflection.  The Tidewater Winds is a professional concert band in the “Sousa band tradition.”  The Winds perform entertaining programs throughout Hampton Roads under the direction of Maestro John Brewington.  The Virginia Beach Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Don Krudop, is one of the oldest continuous performing arts groups in Virginia Beach and is dedicated to quality performances and community service. They perform a varied repertoire from classics to Broadway and rock to jazz.  The mission of the Virginia Beach Chorale is to enhance the cultural and musical life of the Hampton Roads Community.

Operation Enduring Freedom represents the efforts of the United States in Afghanistan to end the threat of global terrorism.  In a salute to Enduring Freedom heroes, representatives and veterans of military initiatives in Afghanistan and Iraq will participate in the program.

Video images presented during the observance will help commemorate the past and celebrate the future of this important day in American history.

Let Freedom Ring! 9/11 Ten Years Later will be free and open to the public.  

For more information on Let Freedom Ring! 9/11 Ten Years Later, visit www.BeachStreetUSA.com, or call 757-491-SUNN.