CLEVELAND (WJW) — Thursday marks 24 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, impacting the lives of countless people, especially those who lost loved ones.
In Northeast Ohio, several events are planned to honor the lives lost and the sacrifices made after that horrific day.
Preparations are underway for the sixth annual Flags for Honor display at Edgewater Park, led by John Kikol and Frank Ondus of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
“We’ll have as many as 70 to 80 volunteers coming to install the flags into the ground,” Ondus said. “After that is done, we will be putting up over 600 medallions that will be honoring fallen police, fire, military. But also, the living fire, police, teachers, doctors.”
Ondus encouraged the public to stop by the Flags for Honor display to look at each marker because “they represent a hero in our community.”
In addition to the display, a free ceremony will be held on the lower level of Edgewater Park starting at noon Thursday. Featuring speakers from local law enforcement and more.
“September 11th, we lost 2,753 men and women in the World Trade Center, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 on Flight 93. After that, we obviously had men and women in Iraq or Afghanistan. We lost 7,000 young men and women in the middle of these conflicts — 300 from Ohio. All those families have lost a loved one,” Kikol said. “That loss lasts the rest of their lives. It’s so important that we let them know that we’re not going to let them forget.”
In downtown Cleveland, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on Public Square will host a two-part ceremony with YouTube livestreams from inside the memorial room. One will be held at 8:30 a.m., followed by the main ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Both programs are free and open to the public.
“We kind of felt like there was this drop-off in remembrances after about 10 years or so, and we’ve wanted to fill that void,” said Greg Palumbo, executive director of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.
Palumbo said many people will always remember where they were when 9/11 happened, but that is changing as younger generations did not witness the tragedy. He said the lessons remain important for youth and organizers welcome all to attend.
“We want to make sure that we’re remembering those individuals who not only suffered on 9/11, but then those who answered the call after 9/11,” Palumbo said.
Additional events are planned across Northeast Ohio, including stair climbs in solidarity with first responders who scaled the stairwells of the towers during the attack.
Organizers hope everyone will take a moment from their day to reflect.
Tino Bovenzi
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