Herald News Report

FAIRBORN — The City of Fairborn has vowed that it “will never forget.”

It is hosting its 15th Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony beginning 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the National Center for Medical Readiness, 506 W. Xenia Drive.

“We can’t forget what that’s all about,” Fairborn Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick said during the Sept. 6 council meeting. “If terrorism had gone away, the war on terrorism would ended, then we might let it fade into the background — but the war on terrorism, unfortunately, is alive and well.”

The ceremony, emceed by Fairborn Chamber of Commerce interim Director Paul Newman, will include the presentation of the colors by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard, followed by an invocation by Reverend Ruth Paulus and welcoming comments by Kirkpatrick.

Wright-Patterson Colonel David Kretz, who is a mission support group commander of the 88th Air Base Wing, will offer remarks during the brief program. American Legion Chaplain Roger Sloan will give the benediction, followed by the American Legion Post 526 rifle salute to fallen comrades and Taps. Retired Sergeant Del Braund, of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, will conclude the event with playing of the bagpipes.

“We cannot forget that we have people on the front lines protecting us from terrorism everyday,” he said. “Citizens, police, fire, whatever, this is a chance for us to remember them.”

Fairborn received a steel artifact in March 2011 from one of New York City’s Twin Towers, which has been incorporated into a monument and serves as a constant reminder of that fateful day in 2001 to commemorate the nearly 3,000 people who were victims of the terrorists’ attacks.

The monument is to serve as a connection not only to those who were lost on the planes, in the towers and the first responders, but also the men and women who serve now, have served or made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The ceremony is open to the public. Parking will be available at the Eagles lodge across the street from Calamityville.