On That Note
Today is a somber anniversary. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. Many Americans feel like life changed following the attacks 25 years ago. I suppose it's probably true, but I was too young to remember life before this national tragedy. What I do know is that people were brought together, and our national unity seemed to be at a peak for several years afterward.
Today, we have a chance to come together once again. There are several local, state and national events being hosted in honor of those who lost their lives to the attacks of the Twin Towers , Pentagon and the plane downed in Shanksville, Pa. 25 years ago. Many of these events have activities to teach and remind people about what happened on 9/11.
Locally, some events include:
Argos: Friday, 5:30 p.m., Remembrance Walk and Ceremony begins at Argos Community Schools with a walk together to the Downtown Square, where people will gather for a remembrance ceremony honoring the lives lost, the heroes who responded and the lasting impact of Sept. 11. This year, the Remembrance Walk and Ceremony will be held alongside TGIF Argos, giving our community an opportunity to remember, reflect and come together.
South Bend: March to the Memorial is Friday. Gather at 8:30 a.m. at Martin's Super Market, 902 Erskine Plaza. Walk at 9:11 a.m. Finish about 6:45 p.m. at the 9/11 memorial in St. Patrick's County Park. Free. Up to 21 miles at about 3 mph or join at any of seven fire-station rest stops.
Crown Point: Stair climb and one-mile walk at the Lake County Fairgrounds grandstand, 889 S. Court St. Sign-in at 4:30 p.m. Fast division 5-6:15 p.m. (CDT). National anthem plays at 6:15 p.m. General climb 6:30-8:30 p.m., one-mile walk 6:30-7 p.m. It is 17 trips up and down 120 stairs, which comes to the 1,980 steps in the Twin Towers; they hand you 17 pennies and you drop one a lap. Cost: Adults, $30 to climb, $20 to walk; $20 for kids 3 to 12, free under 3; $30 all ages on event day. First responders take $9.11 off with code 911. Register on RunSignUp.
Notre Dame: Thursday night, the eighth annual ND 110 stair climb is Sept. 10 from 5-9 p.m., at the Duncan Student Center, not the stadium. It benefits HEART 9/11. On Friday the tri-military ROTC units host a 9/11 memorial run 5K on campus starting at the ROTC building. Both are on Notre Dame's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs calendar, which is where to check the 5K start time.
Kokomo: Saturday, the 9/11 Memorial Tribute Challenge is Sept. 12, and every piece of it starts at 8:46 a.m.: a 5K that begins and ends at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, 440 S. Union St., a hero workout at CrossFit Kokomo, and a 110-floor stair climb at Planet Fitness. The Kokomo Fire Department runs it. $25 per event, benefiting the Marty Meyers, Carl Koontz and FOP scholarship funds.
On that note, whether at home or in the community, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on our national history and the effects of Sept. 11 on our lives.