On Wednesday, the 12th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on New York City, and Washington, D.C will be remembered with a special ceremony at Missoula's Rose Memorial Park.

Susan Campbell-Reneau, chaplain of the United Veterans Council of Missoula and Ravalli counties said on Monday, September 9, that the ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday with the placement of thousands of small American flags in the park.

"In cooperation with the Missoula Exchange Club, we are placing 2,986 American flags in the ground beside the Vietnam Memorial, and we can sure use some people to come and assist us," Campbell-Reneau said. "Then, we're going to have a very solemn, and very brief, service to pay tribute to the thousands of innocent men, women and children who were bombed by a terrorist attack."

There will be other aspects of the ceremony, as well.

"We have the ROTC color guard, the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Order, the American Legion color guard, Post 27, and the VFW Post 209 shooting brigade to provide a 21-gun salute," Campbell-Reneau said. "Participants will sing the National Anthem and taps will be performed by Elliot Oppenheimer from Buglers Across America."

United Veterans Council Chaplain Susan Campbell Reneau:

Additionally, there will be statewide commemorations of 9-11 on Wednesday. Marissa Perry, Outreach Coordinator for Serve Montana, the governor's office of community service, is encouraging Montanans to participate in the 9-11 Day of Service and Remembrance, by thanking those who served, helping a neighbor in need, or joining in a community service project.

"In Billings, a group of Senior Corps members will be making banners for the military," Perry said. "In Bozeman, we have a blanket drive, and the Senior Corps will be helping the Gallatin Valley Food Bank at the mall collecting blankets and food for those in need. In Butte, Senior Corps members will collect produce from community gardens and then deliver it to the Butte Emergency Food Bank."

Marissa Perry, Outreach Coordinator for Serve Montana:

In Missoula, Americorps VISTA members will be collecting toiletries  at grocery stores throughout town to benefit the YWCA.

In 2009, Congress designated September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under bipartisan federal law, and charged the National Corporation for National and Community Service with helping to support this effort throughout the country.

 

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