Marion County will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 with a series of activities, programs, and presentations honoring first responders and veterans.
The events are organized by the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park along with various agencies such as the Hospice of Marion County and include memorial services, concerts, and opportunities to meet, greet, and learn more about our community’s first responders.
On the morning of Sept. 11, Marion County will host a remembrance and commemoration of the 9/11 terror attacks. The speaker lineup includes Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant, Senator Keith Perry, Mayor Kent Guinn, and Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta as well as ceremonial proceedings from an honor guard composed of local first responders.
On Sept. 18, the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park and the Hospice of Marion County will host a Veterans’ Appreciation Day, including concerts, military vehicle displays, flag-folding and etiquette presentations from first responders, and a free evening movie.
All events are free and will take place at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 SE Fort King St., Ocala.
A full list of the week’s events is below:
Friday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. Motorcycle escort of Remembrance Wall from War Horse Harley-Davidson to Veterans’ Memorial Park, wall-raising ceremony
Saturday, Sept. 11 – Opening Ceremony
8:30 a.m. 9/11 history and remembrance, speeches, placement of wreaths, flyover, and more
6 p.m. Dance By Sheila student performance
Sunday, Sept. 12
10 a.m. First Responders’ Chaplain Corps service
3 p.m. Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band
6 p.m. Joan Crowder & Friends performance
Monday, Sept. 13
10 a.m. School Learning Experience
Tuesday, Sept. 14
10 a.m. Meet Your Hometown Heroes
Friday, Sept. 17
8 a.m. Hometown Heroes Breakfast (invitation only)
12 p.m. PTSD support – talk, share, ask questions
3 p.m. MIA/POW ceremony
4 p.m. Survivors share stories
6 p.m. Delta Rose Band
Saturday, Sept. 18 – Veterans’ Appreciation Day
10 a.m. Veterans’ Prayer Service
11 a.m. & 1 p.m. American Flag story time with Betsy Ross & George Washington, flag-folding demonstration
2 p.m. “Four Seasons” concert
3:30 p.m. “Music by Barry” concert
7 p.m. “Taking Chance” movie on the BIG Screen
Sunday, Sept. 19 – Closing Ceremony
10 a.m. First Responders’ Chaplain Corps service
1 p.m. Closing Ceremony