Nine years ago today were the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
And throughout Clark County, people are remembering and honoring the nearly 3,000 people who died in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, through ceremonies, speeches, music and barbecues.
Here’s what happening:
• Clark County Fire District 3 firefighters will join at 6:58 a.m. for a brief public ceremony at Fire Station 31, 17718 N.E. 159th St., Brush Prairie. Afterward, the fire station will be open to the public, and folks are invited to stop in and chat with the firefighters. The fire district is also hosting an open house at the Battle Ground Lake Station 33, 18309 N.E. 259th St., Battle Ground, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be barbecued hot dogs and lemonade as well as tours of the station.
• At 8 a.m., the Camas Fire Department, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave. in Camas, will observe the day with a flag-raising ceremony, a last alarm and a moment of silence in honor of all who fell in the attacks.
• Also at 8 a.m., a prayer breakfast will be held at Kings Church, 2700 N.E. Andresen Road. The speaker will be Craig Riley, a Republican candidate for the Legislature in the 49th District.
• The Seventh Annual Peace and Justice Fair, originally created in response to the Sept. 11 attacks and President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, will continue all day at Esther Short Park, where more than 50 organizations will promote peace, environmental protection and social justice.
• A few blocks away at the Vancouver Landing Amphitheater, the Second Annual American Patriot Rally, adopting the theme “Tribute to Unity,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with music before and after the event. The program is being sponsored by conservative political groups including We the People Washington, Oregon 912 and the Oregon and Washington chapters of Americans for Prosperity. It will feature a keynote speech by Sandy Straub, who lost her husband in the attack on the World Trade Center, and comments from officials at the New York Port Authority and the Pentagon.
• A 10 a.m. tribute will take place at Vancouver’s new City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St., across from Esther Short Park. Firefighters and police will hold a flag ceremony and observe a moment of silence. Also, Mayor Tim Leavitt, Fire Chief Don Bivins and Police Chief Cliff Cook will speak.
• As many as 700 members of the Vancouver East Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will gather to beautify Pacific Community Park, at the corner of Northeast 18th Street and Northeast 172nd Avenue, in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• A community health fair will take place at Harney Elementary School, 3212 E. Evergreen Blvd., as a day of service in honor of 9/11 victims. Dozens of dentists, dental hygienists, doctors, nurses and social service organizations will offer free health screenings, dental work and information about services in Vancouver. Free haircuts, pony rides and games are planned for children. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Patriot Guard Riders will take a memorial run at 10 a.m., stopping at various Clark County fire departments to hand out medals to firefighters.
• East County Fire and Rescue will offer a free spaghetti dinner and 9/11 commemoration ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. at Station 91, 600 N.E. 267th Ave. in Camas. Participants are invited to bring a candle luminaria for someone they know who was involved in the events of Sept. 11, either as a citizen or as an emergency responder.
