Commemorating lives lost in 9/11 tragedy, St. George, Utah Tech to hold ceremonies

Stock image | In this file photo, veterans hold flags during an event commemorating the 9/11 tragedy, St. George, Utah, Sept. 21, 2021 | Photo courtesy city of St. George, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Several events commemorating 9/11 will be held in St. George this weekend, Friday through Sunday.

The Utah Tech University Student Association is hosting its annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 in front of University Clock Tower on the Utah Tech campus, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech University, St. George News

The weekend-long planned events will begin Friday morning at Utah Tech University. In remembrance of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Utah Tech Student Association is holding a memorial ceremony on campus Friday morning, according to a press release issued by the university.  

The university’s annual tribute to the Sept. 11 victims, survivors and responders will take place at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 in front of the University Clock Tower on the Utah Tech campus. The ceremony will involve a short program including speakers, a musical performance and the release of balloons along with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives.

The event is open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend.  

“We are humbled and grateful to be continuing this tradition of commemorating the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001, and honoring the sacrifices that were made in the wake of this tragedy,” Drake Bailey, Utah Tech Student Association vice president of service, said in the news release.  

To learn more about the Utah Tech Student Association Service branch, visit this website 

City of St. George

St. George gathers at Town Square Park for the Remembering 9-11: Honoring First Responders and Their Families event Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of city of St. George, St. George News

The city of St. George and several community groups hope to evoke feelings of gratitude and patriotism during the third annual “Remembering 9/11: Honoring First Responders and Their Families” event Saturday at Historic Town Square at 9:30 a.m.

This event is part of a weekend-long tribute to those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — a tribute that includes a Field of Heroes flag display and the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit on Sept. 11, according to a press release issued by the city.

Mayor Michele Randall, who is among the scheduled speakers, invited everyone to take part in the event and also thank the community’s first responders for protecting the residents.

“Our community’s police officers, firefighters and paramedics often display incredible amounts of courage in various circumstances,” she said in the news release. “It is important that we recognize them for the outstanding work that they do.”

The calm of a late-summer morning 21 years ago was shattered when coordinated terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 Americans – including 412 first responders. In the ensuing weeks and months, Americans came together in a way not often seen. The city and its participating community partners for the 9/11 event seek to recapture, at least for one weekend, that sense of unity and fellowship that infused the nation 21 years ago.

During Saturday’s event, Congressman Chris Stewart will be the keynote speaker. Washington Mayor Kress Staheli will join Randall in making remarks, and two youth choirs will perform patriotic songs. The event closes with a moving bagpipe tribute. Kids’ activities will be available, including patriotic face painting, and the St. George Carousel will be free to ride that morning until noon.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, at Town Square near the Woodward Building, the free Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit – open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – brings together local community members through interactive exhibits, short films and shared stories. Serving as a mobile museum, it also serves as an official “Welcome Home” station for Vietnam War veterans. It is free to attend.

On both Saturday and Sunday, everyone is invited to the east lawn of Town Square to view the more than 300 American flags on display, representing the first responders who perished on 9/11.

“We don’t want people to forget the sacrifices of those who rushed into harm’s way without a second thought,” Randall added. “We know that first responders from throughout Washington County would not hesitate to do the same.”

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