DALLAS/FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- Several North Texas cities are hosting virtual events to remember September 11, 2001 and honor the fallen.
Instead of its annual public event, the City of Mesquite will host a live video broadcast of a private gathering for the 9/11 Memorial on its Facebook page and make the video available on its website and other communication platforms later in the day. Out of an abundance of caution and in line with the guidance regarding social distancing, this year’s 9/11 Memorial will not be a public event.
Mesquite Fire Chief Mark Kerby explained, “This modified program will allow the City to honor the fallen with a meaningful and safe ceremony. We will have only a few select participants, and we ask the public to support our efforts by not attempting to visit Freedom Park during the program, but choose a time later in the day to reflect on the meaning of the day in a safe manner.” Kerby shared that the 9/11 program will include remarks by Mayor Bruce Archer, the reading of both the Police and Firefighter Prayer, and a smaller assembly of the color guard as well as pipe and drum.
In 2011, the Mesquite Fire Department was entrusted with a historic piece of steel from one of the Twin Towers destroyed on 9/11. The 15-foot long, 575-pound twisted beam is the centerpiece of Mesquite Freedom Park. With the support of the local community, the City of Mesquite created an outdoor place of gathering, reflection and celebration of freedom on the North Lawn of the Mesquite Arts Center. A park dedication ceremony was held on September 11, 2016 as the country marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
The Grapevine Fire Department will also host a virtual 9/11 memorial ceremony beginning promptly at 7:40am.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and in the best interest of safety, this abbreviated ceremony will be live-streamed on Grapevine’s Facebook page and on the City of Grapevine YouTube channel.
The City of Coppell will also live stream its event at 8:30 am. The event will be streamed on both the Coppell Police Department and Coppell Fire Department’s Facebook pages.
The Dallas 9/11 Stair Climb has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. “After much deliberation, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. With the roadblocks from the City of Dallas, building requirements for COVID Safety protocols and most importantly, feedback from our climbers; we have decided that postponing until 2021 is our best option. Please know that this is a huge disappointment to our team as well, and we understand your frustration and disappointment that this year’s event is being cancelled,” The Group said on Facebook.
Check your respective cities Facebook page or websites for possible live streamed events in your area!
