A countywide 9/11 10-Year Anniversary Memorial Program will be held on Sunday, September 11 beginning at 4:00 PM to honor and remember those Butler County residents who have died in the war on terrorism. The event will be held at Voice of America Park, 7850 VOA Park Dr., in West Chester, Ohio.
The West Chester Symphony will perform conducted by Susan Schirmer with soloist Rachel King. Colors will be posted by VFW Post 7696 with honor guards representing the West Chester Fire Department, the West Chester Police Department, the Liberty Township Fire Department and the Ohio Patriot Guard. Bagpiper from Butler County Sheriff’s Department will also perform.
Lt. Col. Bradley Hamant, Commander Air Force ROTC 640, Miami University will provide welcoming remarks and Chaplain Lt. Col. David W. Leist, Min BCC USAF Reserves, Wright Patterson Air Force Base will say the invocation and benediction. There will be reading of the names of the Fallen Heroes by Frank Hickman, VFW Post 7696. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by St. Aloysius Girl Scout Troop 41074.
Special guest speaker will be Doug MacMillan. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Doug started a non-profit organization to honor his best friend Todd Beamer who died heroically on United flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. He became founder and CEO of Heroic Choices, an organization designed to assist children in overcoming family trauma. Doug remained with the organization for three years before returning to the business world in 2004. He has received many awards and commendations for his work including an Honorary Doctorate from Kings College in 2004. During his time at Heroic Choices, Doug appeared on various news radio and television shows including, Larry King, Fox and Friends, Oprah, and ESPN. He also acts as a keynote and motivational speaker and has addressed many companies and organizations throughout the United States.
Honorary co-chairs of the event are John Prazynski and James Robinson. The event is family friendly and entrance fees to the park will not be in effect. Sponsors include: Cheryl and Ralph Davidson; Flaggs USA; Wal-Mart; Lakota Liberty Printing; West Chester–Liberty Chamber Alliance; Kroger; West Chester Symphony and the West Chester-Liberty Community Foundation.
Comments