Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club: 9/11 Memorial Healing Field at Gratwick Park

Submitted

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club will present a solemn formation of U.S. flags along the Niagara River this weekend.

Club spokesperson Phyllis Genter said a formation of 1,200 U.S. flags will be placed in the 9/11 Memorial Healing Field at Gratwick Park, 1300 River Road, North Tonawanda. The flags will be on display Sept. 11-13. The site is open to the public for viewing and reflection,

“The field of flags, flown in perfect rows and columns, will honor and remember those who tragically lost their lives that day,” Genter said. “The scene of red, white and blue flags will present an inspiring and memorable panorama that will draw the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan community together.

“This year, the 9/11 Memorial Healing Field will recognize and honor our health care community, first responders and military, with an event of mourning and support, of appreciation and healing. Each day, an opening ceremony will feature an invocation, national anthem, a guest speaker and a musical tribute.”

The Sept. 11 program will open at 8:30 a.m. and feature a day-long tribute to the thousands of individuals who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The memorial reading of all individual names will continue to 4:30 p.m. A musical performance by the American Warriors Group is set for 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. opening ceremony honoring first responders, with remarks by Mike Hughes of “ground zero.”

The Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club will offer an information booth from 5 to 7 p.m., with T-shirts and U.S. flags available for purchase.

The Red Blazer Men’s Chorus will open the Saturday program at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. ceremony in honor of the U.S. military and the America 250 celebration of the American Independence. Guest speaker Tom Pearson will recall his involvement at the U.S. Pentagon in Washington during the 9/11 attacks. The club’s information booth will be open from 1-3 p.m.

On Sunday, a musical performance is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., followed by closing ceremonies at 10 a.m. in honor of veterans and the America 250 celebration. Guest speaker will be Maureen Casey, who served as deputy commissioner of the New York City Police Department during the 9/11 attacks. The service will conclude at 11 a.m. with donor pickup of the displayed flags.

Founded in 1911, the National Exchange Club is the oldest service group in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to serving American communities. With hundreds of local Exchange Clubs throughout the country, it brings together like-minded individuals for a sharing of ideas and exchanging of information to better serve the respective communities.

Gentner said, “Our motto is ‘Unity for Service,’ and the four pillars are Americanism, community service, youth programs and the prevention of child abuse, which is our national project.”

She noted meetings of the Erie-Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club are held from 8-9 a.m. each Wednesday in the Olympic Family restaurant, 1601 Military Road, Kenmore. Residents interested in learning more about the club or participating in local service projects are encouraged to attend a meeting to become more involved.

For more information, visit www.erieniagaraexchangeclub.com.