PENNSYLVANIA, USA — The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States occurred 23 years ago this Wednesday.
Here are some events happening in Central Pennsylvania that will honor those lost in the tragedy.
Cumberland County
This event will be on Wednesday from 8-9 a.m. in the school's Academic Quad. A flag will be lowered to half-mast by Dickenson ROTC Cadets to the playing of "Taps." There will then be a moment of silence, and the bell in Dickenson's Denny Hall will toll three times, one for each of the three attacks. College President, John E. Jones III, will lay a wreath to the singing of "Amazing Grace," and the ceremony will end with a final prayer.
Dauphin County
Hosted by the Harrisburg Bicycle Club, riders will report to Fort Hunter at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The event will be a 20-25-mile, flat city ride on the East shore, and participants will make certain historical stops along the way. One of the historical stops will be at the Harrisburg Area Community College's 9/11 Memorial. Riders are requested to wear red, white and blue and bring a flag to place at the memorial.
The Hummelstown Fire Department will host their event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The special guest speaker will be Maria Frisby, former Ms. Pennsylvania 2004 and former EMT.
Lancaster County
The Lancaster County Commissioners and Lancaster County's First Responders will host this event on Wednesday at 9 a.m. It will be held at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Manheim.
The speaker for this event will be Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Sean J. Gallagher, who has earned multiple awards and honors for his 20 years serving in the United States Army. He is also a former Professor in Military Science at Loyola University in Maryland. Gallagher is also personally connected to the events of September 11, as his brother was killed in the attacks.
The Commissioners will also host a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the 52 Lancaster County First Responders who died in the attacks.
The Manheim Township Fire Rescue and Manheim Township Police will host this event at the Manheim Township 9/11 Memorial Site. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, members of these two departments will reflect on the events of September 11 with attendees. They will also lay three wreaths, one each for those killed in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pa.
York County
This event will be at the York Elks Lodge #213 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. It will be presented by the York Elks Lodge #213 Americanism Committee and York Elks Chorus.