Event to honor 9/11 victims planned for Sunday at Statehouse

THE BOOTS REPRESENTING THE 28 Rhode Islanders who have been killed in the global war on terror will be on display in Providence City Hall until Sept. 13. / COURTESY OPERATION STAND DOWN RI
THE BOOTS REPRESENTING THE 28 Rhode Islanders who have been killed in the global war on terror will be on display in Providence City Hall until Sept. 13. / COURTESY OPERATION STAND DOWN RI

(Updated 4:25 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – A statewide commemoration to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will be held Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Bell Area at the Statehouse.

Speakers include Gov. Gina M. Raimondo; U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed; U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin; U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline; Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, Rhode Island state police superintendent; and family members of the victims.

Mike Montecalvo, an anchor and reporter at WPRI TV-12 news, will be master of ceremonies.

Members of law enforcement, the military and the fire service will honor Rhode Islanders who died in the terrorist attacks that day, as well as Rhode Islanders who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were killed while serving in the war on terror since that date.

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Cicilline released the following statement:

“Fifteen years ago, our country and the core values that define us as Americans came under attack. At the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, we witnessed unspeakable acts of evil that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 of our citizens. The victims were our friends and neighbors, moms and dads, Rhode Islanders and Americans who were going about their daily lives. We honor their memories today, and we continue to pray for the comfort of the families and loved ones they left behind.

“Although we saw the worst examples of humanity’s capacity for evil that day, we also observed some of the finest examples of courage and selflessness that have always defined our nation. The first responders at Ground Zero, the ordinary citizens who donated blood, and the brave men and women who fought back aboard Flight 93 were true heroes. Their actions that day remind all of us that, no matter our differences, we are all Americans, united in a common cause to ensure the freedom and security of our nation and the entire world.”

On Friday morning, Operation Stand Down hosted a ceremony with the city of Providence to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks and honor those who lost their lives in the war on terror.

“As we take a moment to remember that day and those victims, we must also take a moment to remember the fallen heroes who died defending our nation in combat following that fateful day,” OSDRI Executive Director Erik Wallin said.

At the ceremony at City Hall, OSDRI displayed boots to represent the 28 Rhode Islanders killed in the global war on terror.

The boots are part of OSDRI’s “Boots on the Ground for Heroes” memorial which was displayed in Roger Williams Park over Memorial Day weekend. The boots will remain on display in City Hall until Sept. 13.
The boots will once again be placed on the ground of Roger Williams Park (near the Temple to Music) in Providence on Memorial Day Weekend 2017.

In addition, according to a proclamation issued by President Obama, Sept. 9 through 11, will be recognized as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. Raimondo has ordered that the U.S. and Rhode Island flags at all state facilities and buildings be flown at half-staff until Sept. 12 in honor of the lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

“On this 15th anniversary of September 11, we remember the innocent victims and pay tribute to the first responders. Let us also reflect on the ways in which Americans have prevailed in a time of unfathomable tragedy, showing to the world and ourselves that love and peace triumph evil and hate,” she said.

Raimondo also asks Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a mark of respect.

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