Village of Oak Lawn Plans Virtual 9/11 Ceremony

Lorraine Swanson
Updated ·1 min read

OAK LAWN, IL — It’s hard to believe it has been 19 years since America came under attack by terrorists. The Village of Oak Lawn will be live-streaming a remembrance ceremony at 9:11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, from the world-class First Responders Memorial at the Oak Lawn-Patriot Metra Station, 9525 Tulley Ave. (behind Starbucks and the Children's Museum).

Residents are strongly encouraged to watch the ceremony from home or work. The remembrance ceremony is tentatively set to be streamed live on the Oak Lawn Art and Events Commission Facebook page.

Oak Lawn Acting Village Manager Randy Palmer will serve as the master of ceremonies. OLPD Chief Daniel Vittorio and OLFD Chief Zack Riddle will offer remarks.

Commander Art Clark, of the Oak Lawn Police Department, who was instrumental in bringing four beams from fallen trade center to Oak Lawn, will give a brief history of 9/11 First Responders Memorial created by the internationally renowned sculptor Erik Blome.

The monument incorporates the beams and two spires with American faces of first responders who rushed into the burning towers to save civilians, and the workman who built the towers, as well as faces of Oak Lawn residents who posed for the monument's creator.

Other program highlights include:

  • Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 Bryant Reed will offer a veteran’s perspective on the dark day.

  • The National Anthem sung by an Oak Lawn resident

  • Pledge of Allegiance with children doing sign language

  • A poem from a Dist. 123 student

  • Taps by the VFW

  • Moment of silence.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has confirmed her attendance, who speak about first responders during COVID-19 pandemic. The program will last about 30 minutes.

This article originally appeared on the Oak Lawn Patch