“Remembering 9/11: Honoring First Responders and Their Families”event to feature patriotic program, musical performance

The City of St. George, American Legion Post 90 and the St. George Exchange Club invite everyone to attend the free event, "Remembering 9/11: Honoring First Responders and Their Families" on Sept. 11 at Historic Town Square from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Selected community members will speak and a youth choir will perform to honor the sacrifices made Sept. 11, 2001 — and to recognize current first responders throughout Washington County. Significant prizes will be given away to first responders and their family members every 15 minutes.

“The terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred nearly two decades ago. We fear some people have started to forget,” said Marti Bigbie, Utah State Commander of the American Legion as well as the local Post 90 commander. “With this event we want to recall the sacrifices of those who rushed into harm’s way without a second thought, and to recognize first responders from throughout Washington County who would not hesitate to do the same.”

The calmness of a late-summer morning was shattered 19 years ago when airplanes slammed into the World Trade Center towers and Pentagon. Nearly 3,000 were killed in the coordinated terrorist attacks, including 412 first responders. The death toll would have likely been much higher if not for the first responders who evacuated the towers before their collapse.

“We sometimes take for granted our police officers, firefighters and paramedics who must summon incredible amounts of courage in certain situations,” said Mayor Jon Pike, who is scheduled to speak at the event. “We should always take the opportunity to tell them thank you for serving our community and making it safer for everyone.”

Other speakers include Bigbie, City Councilwoman Dannielle Larkin and Jamie Bahlmann, the wife of a first responder.

Southern Utah resident Jeff McKenna, author of the newly published novel, "Saving Dr. Warren — A True Patriot,” will be present selling autographed copies of his book as a fundraiser for American Legion Post 90’s programs promoting patriotism. Through adventures, the reader learns about Sept. 11, World War II and the American Revolution.

“It’s a powerful tool to help young Americans learn what it means to love their country and those who serve it,” McKenna said.