(DES MOINES) ñ Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that WHO Radio and the United States Air Force will place 2,977 flags in the Capitol grounds along East Grand Avenue to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2011. The flags will begin being placed today at 3 p.m. and will stay in place through Sunday, September 11th.
Branstad also announced the individuals who will speak and other details regarding the 9/11 10th anniversary remembrance ceremony on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. The ceremony will occur congruent to the times of the attacks 10 years ago.
The ceremony, which will be called “Remembering Our Past, Securing Our Future,” will feature remarks by General Timothy Orr of the Iowa National Guard, Brig. General Derek Hill of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, Barry Ferguson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Commissioner Larry Noble of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and Gov. Branstad.
In addition to the five speakers, the ceremony will also feature Simon Estes, who will sing “God Bless America,” and Linda Juckett, who will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.”
Gov. Branstad will lay a wreath at the foot of the Statue of Liberty replica near the conclusion of the remembrance ceremony. The wreath was made by Margaret Hough and Camille Valley and is made with 2,977 mm of blue ribbon to represent the number of lives lost on 9/11, 13,000 inches of red ribbon to represent the number of Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen deployed since 9/11, and 84 white flowers to represent the number of Iowa military members who have lost their lives on active duty since 9/11.
The Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sherriff’s Office, Des Moines Fire Department, Boone Fire Department, Indianola Fire Department, Iowa National Guard and Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa will also participate in the ceremony.
Iowa’s congressional delegation has been invited to attend.
The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Seating is limited, the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and bag chairs for the ceremony.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
7:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad hosts 9/11 10th anniversary remembrance ceremony
Statue of Liberty replica
Corner of E. Grand Ave. and E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA
Note: E. 12th Street from E. Grand to Walnut St. will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the ceremony|
