GREENFIELD — Hancock County residents will pause to remember lives lost and heroes that emerged on Sept. 11, 2001.
Several ceremonies and events are scheduled for today and Saturday in memory of the terrorist attacks 20 years ago. Here’s a summary:
Mt. Vernon to have ceremony
Veterans, first-responders and community members are invited to attend a 20th anniversary commemorative ceremony today (Friday, Sept. 10) at Mt. Vernon High School, 8112 N. County Road 200W, Fortville. The event, which will take place at Hancock Health Stadium, will start at 9:11 a.m. It will include a military color guard, performances by Mt. Vernon High School’s band and choir, scheduled moments of silence and a student display of unity. Visitors are asked to arrive after 8:30 a.m. to avoid buses and school traffic.
Fire department to play host to blood drive
A “Hope” memorial blood drive will be held at the Vernon Township Fire Department from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 10). A Versiti bloodmobile will be on site at the station, 600 Vitality Drive, Fortville. To register, visit donate.indiana.versiti.org.
EH to pay tribute prior to homecoming game
Eastern Hancock High School will pay tribute to the 13 American lives lost in Afghanistan by flying 13 flags at its home football game this evening, and the community will also remember the 9/11 attacks through a color guard presentation; playing of the national anthem and the song “God Bless the USA”; and a special presentation by cheerleaders. The homecoming game against Heritage Christian School starts at 7 p.m., and the patriotic ceremony will take place just before the game.
‘Hometown Heroes’ to be honored
Several events are happening in downtown Greenfield Saturday afternoon. The Brandywine Wind Community Concert Band will perform patriotic music from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Sept. 11, and the annual Hometown Heroes ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday. The events will be held in the Living Alley in downtown Greenfield, just off of North and State streets.
Hometown Heroes is held annually in recognition of the Sept. 11 attacks to honor local first-responders who have made a difference in the local community. Those being recognized this year are Claude Hedlund and Isaiah Faust of the Greenfield Fire Territory and Blake Crull of the Greenfield Police Department. There will be a 21-gun salute by the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard.
The Hometown Heroes event is in conjunction with the Four Post 400, a fundraiser to benefit the Hancock County Veterans Assistance Fund. The fourth annual Four Post 400 kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday with a presentation of colors, pledge and invocation. A “parade of beds” is at 12:30 p.m., and then teams of five will race twin-sized beds along North Street. Food vendors will also be on site. More information is available by emailing [email protected].
The event is hosted by the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 119 and American Legion Post 119.
FOP lodge to hold picnic, remembrance
First responders and their families are inviting the community to join in on a Saturday evening remembrance ceremony and event. The Sept. 11 Memorial and Remembrance Event will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 400 E. Davis Road.
The picnic-style event will include food trucks, games, live music, bounce houses and commemorative shirts, with all proceeds benefiting a first-responder charity. A special ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. with a presentation of colors, bagpipes, a moment of silence and remarks. The event is hosted by the Hancock County Professional Firefighters Local 4787 and the Hancock County Fraternal Order of Police 140.
Church invites people to stop and pray
Curry’s Chapel Church will be open Saturday for anyone who wants to stop to take a moment to reflect and pray. The Day of Prayer will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church, 3488 N. County Road 375E. More information is available by calling 317-967-4152.
