9/11 tributes to be held in Portsmouth, Hampton, Stratham and Wood Island
Twenty-two years after terror attacks on America destroyed the towers of the World Trade Center and surrounding area in New York City; heavily damaged the Pentagon in Washington DC; and caused the destruction of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, we will again pause and remember the world-changing events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Here's a look at Seacoast events planned to recognize the day:
New 9/11 monument unveiling in Stratham on Sept. 10
STRATHAM — The Stratham Fire Department will host a dedication ceremony for the new 9/11 Memorial built by Eagle Scout Tyler Denton on Sunday, Sept. 10.
The event will start at 11 a.m., followed by a motorcycle charity ride-by by the Patriot Riders of America, NH Chapter. Patriot Riders has asked Stratham to be part of this event that raises funds for organizations that help veterans, military and first responders in need. The ride will take place from 11:30 a.m. to about 11:40 a.m.
A short dedication ceremony will then be held to officially dedicate the monument, which includes a piece of steel from the Twin Towers that fell that day.
9/11 ceremony at the 9/11 steel artifact site outside Portsmouth City Hall
PORTSMOUTH — An observance will take place outside city police headquarters and City Hall on the morning of Monday, Sept. 11, at the site of the 9/11 Steel Artifact Memorial, to remember the sacrifices of the fallen heroes and victims and honor their memory. The service will start at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City.
Businesses, residents, and visitors are invited to join for the brief outdoor service. You are encouraged to bring a flower or bouquet of any type to lay at the foot of the 9/11 Steel Artifact as a visible reminder of your attendance to honor the memory of these heroes and victims.
The remembrance ceremony will honor the 2,977 individuals who lost their lives or gave their lives to save others. Many first responders are still fighting for their lives, and others are losing their lives, as a result of their rescue work in the toxic ruins of the burning Ground Zero Towers. Each year we lose a few more. The city was directly affected by the 9/11 attacks by the loss of American Airlines co-pilot Tom McGuinness, a Portsmouth resident who was piloting American Airlines flight 11, the first plane used as a weapon by terrorists and flown into the tower.
Swim With A Mission to host 9/11 tribute on Wood Island
KITTERY, Maine — In honor of the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, Swim With A Mission will lead a special ceremony to mark the anniversary and pause to remember lives lost on that fateful day and beyond. The event will stand as a salute to honor those lost as well as a remembrance of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who made the ultimate sacrifice in the global war on terror. Against the backdrop of the iconic Wood Island, with its rich history steeped in lifesaving heroics and courage, the ceremony will serve as a testament to valor, sacrifice and unity.
The event will be held on Sept. 11, from on 3 to 6 p.m. Invited guests will travel by boat to Wood Island, which holds a rich military history in New Hampshire, notably during World War II when it fortified coastal defenses. Once ashore, an evening of special events will commence, highlighted by a Navy SEAL demonstration of a parachute descent onto the island. Swim With A Mission invites seacoast residents to board their boats and gather in the bay beside the island to witness the ceremony and Navy SEAL descent onto the island.
The ceremony will conclude with a heartfelt homage to the 94 fallen service members from New Hampshire who died in the war on terror. The event will include a rendition of taps, followed by the solemn reading of the 94 names.
Information: swam.org
Global War on Terrorism Monument ceremony at Hampton Beach
HAMPTON — The Hamptons American Legion Post 35 will hold its annual Global War on Terrorism Monument ceremony on Monday, Sept. 11. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at American Legion Post 35, 69 High Street in Hampton.
More: Hampton Global War on Terrorism monument: NH fallen to be honored on Sept. 11
The public is invited to attend. Food and refreshments will be served following the ceremony at the American Legion Post 35.
Send information on additional Seacoast area 9/11 events to news@seacoastonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 9/11 tributes in Portsmouth, Hampton, Stratham and at Wood Island
