Provo remembers Sept. 11 at light ceremony

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    By Rebecca Vallett

    Provo City seeks to honor the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 attack with a Freedom Light Ceremony on Monday, March 11.

    Red, white and blue lights have been placed 225 feet up the Provo Power north stack, said Michael Mower, spokesman for Provo City.

    The lights will be turned on at exactly 9:11 p.m., and should be visible throughout much of Provo and surrounding areas.

    “As a community and as a nation, we never want to forget those who lost their lives in the tragic event of 9-11,” said Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings. “We also want to keep the focus on the renewed sense of patriotism and pride that all Americans felt as we all pulled together.”

    Two other memorials have already been constructed in Provo.

    Howard Stone and residents of the Franklin South neighborhood donated a granite marker, large flagpole and American flag with in days of the incident.

    The neighborhood had been planning a neighborhood beautification tree planting, but felt a memorial would reflect Provo”s patriotism, Stone said.

    “Everyone had heavy hearts at the time and, everyone that wanted to participate to balm or soothe everyone”s hearts and feelings. It has been many, many years since the country has had to heal itself,” he said.

    The memorial was a community effort involving students, business and members of the city, Stone said.

    The second memorial, a reflecting bench, was built as an Eagle Scout service project by B.J. Nordgren and Kyle Williams, and will be dedicated at 4:00 p.m. today.

    “Not only does the memorial serve as an honor to the heroes of 9-11, but honors our local firefighters and police officer,” said Hazel Dunsmore, spokesperson for Provo City.

    The memorial is located next to Provo Fire Station 3 at 610 West Columbia Lane.

    The light ceremony will begin at 8:30 p.m. inside the Eldred Senior Citizens Center at 270 West 500 North.

    Participants in the short program include students from Timpanogos Elementary, Mayor Billings and representatives from Provo City”s fire and police departments.

    At 9 p.m. a candle lighting ceremony will proceed the unveiling of the Freedom Lights.

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