September 11 - WKTV Journal

The annual Sept. 11 Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute will take place at eight Michigan outdoor locations (Courtesy photo)

By WKTV Staff

Scouting America’s Michigan Crossroads Council is once again hosting the annual Sept. 11 Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute. The annual event will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Sept. 11 Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute has been held annually from sunrise to sunset since Sept. 11, 2002 on the plaza at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (GRFPM).

9/11 Memorial & Museum North and South Pools are etched with the names of those lost during the terrorist attacks (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Honorary co-chairs of this year’s commemoration include: Col. James F. Grady II, Director, Michigan State Police; Kevin J. Sehlmeyer, Michigan State Fire Marshall; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Adjunct General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“The Michigan State Police is honored to join this observance reflecting on our first responders, military members and those who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Col. James F. Grady II, Director of the MSP. “We shall never forget the sacrifices made.”

Those who cannot make it to the activities scheduled around the state of Michigan can participate by sharing photos of themselves saluting, or by viewing the activities at the Scouting America Michigan Cross Roads Council Facebook page. Various activities from all locations will be live streamed on the Facebook page.

Details regarding locations can be found here.

Grand Rapids, MI

For the 23rd year, the community is invited to join the Michigan Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America as they lead the West Michigan community in a day-long “Scout Salute” at the GRFPM to pay respect to all those who died during the terrorist attacks.
At sunrise and sunset color guards from the Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments will lower and raise the flag outside of the museum to commemorate the opening (7:19 a.m.) and closing (7:59 p.m.) of day’s events.
At 5:30 p.m. the Salvation Army Band will perform.
At 6 p.m. there will be a program featuring speakers including Donald Shepard, CEO of Scouting American Michigan Crossroads Council; Carly Swanson, on behalf of Governor Whitmer; Tom Stephenson, himself an Eagle Scout, will share remarks on behalf of Senator Gary Peters; Kevin J. Sehlmeyer, Michigan State Fire Marshall; and Salvation Army Major Tim Meyer.
The final salute will take place at 7:59 p.m. with Echo Taps closing the event at sundown.

Schedule of events

The schedule of events for the Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2023, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum include:

(All Sept. 11 events will be held outside. Those wishing to visit the museum must purchase tickets in advance at www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov)

Community and Scouts continuously salute from sunrise to sunset.

7:15 a.m. Honor Guard Lowers Flag (GR Police)

7:18 a.m. Scout Salute Begins

7:50 a.m. Share Events of the Day/Close Program (Retired Firefighter Ken Chudy)

8:46 a.m. Ring Bell for South Tower (GR Fire)

9:03 a.m. Ring Bell for North Tower (GR Fire)

9:37 a.m. Ring Bell for Pentagon (GR Fire)

10:03 a.m. Ring Bell for United Airline Flight 9 (GR Fire)

5:30 p.m. Salvation Army Band Performs

6:10 p.m. Program Begins

6:45 p.m. Closing Benediction (Salvation Army Major Timothy Meyer)

7:59 p.m. Final Salute with Echo Taps

8:00 p.m. Scout Salute Closes

Grand Rapids location address:

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Additional commemoration activity locations

The Albion Legion Post 55 at Riverside Cemetery
The USS Edson, located at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City
Farmington, at the Walter Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park
Muskegon, at the USS LST 393 World War II landing ship
Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post
Young Patriots Park in Riverview
Traverse City, at the Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority

In honor of those who sacrificed their lives during the terrorist events of Sept. 11, 2001, the exhibit 9/11: A Day That Changed America, on loan from the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City, and a rescue vehicle used following the attacks, on loan from the Henry Ford Museum, will be on display at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (GRFPM) in downtown Grand Rapids. The exhibits will be on display as part of the 14th annual Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute on Sept. 11, 2015.

In addition, Wounded Warriors from the West Michigan region, and the flag that will be flown at the museum during the commemoration, will be escorted into Grand Rapids by fire and police personnel, and more than 200 motorcyclists. Several other events are scheduled during the commemoration.

For the 14th year, the President Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America will lead the West Michigan community in a day-long “Scout Salute” at the GRFPM on Sept. 11 to pay respect to all those who died during the terrorist attacks. The day of remembrance has been held annually from sunrise to sunset since Sept. 11, 2002, at the GRFPM and has been supported by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation each year.

“Each year the Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute are commemorated here in Grand Rapids so children and their families have the opportunity to learn about the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001,” Joe Calvaruso, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation said. “This year’s events and exhibits allow the West Michigan community to honor and remember all those who gave their lives because of the terrorist attacks 14-years-ago.”

To honor the arrival of the flag that will be flown during the Scout Salute, during the afternoon of Sept. 10, Wounded Warriors, members of various police and fire departments, the Patriot Guard Riders, members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group and the Boy Scouts of America will escort the flag to the GRFPM from the National Guard Armory located in Belmont, Mich. Upon the flag’s arrival to the museum at 5 p.m., it will be raised during a ceremony which is open to the public.

During evening ceremonies on Sept. 11, SpartanNash will present a personalized Honor and Remember flag to the parents of Army Specialist 4th Class Brian K. Derks, who was killed in action August 13, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq.

“SpartanNash cares deeply for those who protect our families and defend our freedoms, and we are committed to ensuring that these brave men and women’s sacrifices and stories are not forgotten,” said Meredith Gremel, SpartanNash vice president, corporate affairs and communications. “The Honor and Remember flag pays tribute to all our soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country, paying the ultimate price for our freedoms.”

While the exhibits are on display in Grand Rapids, the GRFPM, located at 303 Pearl Street N.W., is free and open to the public to visit. The museum and exhibit will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The schedule of events for the day includes:

7:18 a.m. (sunrise) Scout Salute begins – the community is encouraged to participate at any time during the day

8:40 a.m. Honor Guard lowers flag from full- to half-staff

8:45 a.m. Moment of Silence and Remembrance

8:46 a.m. The Salute Bell will be rung one time for Tower 1 (the time the first plane hit the first tower)

8:50 a.m. Introduction of speaker Mayor George Heartwell

9:03 a.m. The Salute Bell will be rung one time for Tower 2

9:37 a.m. The Salute Bell will be rung one time for the Pentagon

10:03 a.m. The Salute Bell will be rung one time for United Airlines Flight 93

Noon Ceremony to honor Police, Fire, EMS and Military members

12:30-2 p.m. Canine unit demonstration, meet and greet at Ah-Nab-Awen Park

7 p.m. Evening ceremonies begin
· Performance by The Salvation Army Brass Band
· SpartanNash Honor and Remember flag presentation
· Remarks from keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley
· Remarks from Boy Scout Council President Wayman Britt
· The final salute and the flag being raised to full-staff

8 p.m. (sunset) Scout Salute closes