Illinois Takes Part in September 11th Remembrance Event

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced plans for Illinois' participation in a national day of remembrance on December 11th that has been called by President Bush to honor the three-month anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Earlier this week, the president asked all states, U.S. embassies, military bases around the world to organize remembrance events on December 11 to mark the anniversary. The president asked that each of these events, the National Anthem or other appropriate music be played at 8:46 AM, the time that the first hijacked airliner struck the World Trade Center towers.

"The theme of this event is ‘the world will always remember September 11th,'" Ryan said. "Our program in Illinois will not only mark the anniversary of a terrible tragedy, but it will offer the people of Illinois a chance to honor the men and women who are waging a war on terrorism half-way around the world. On this day, our flag will wave proudly over us as a symbol of freedom and strength against adversity."

Illinois' remembrance event will held at the Firefighters and Police memorials on the southwest side of the State Capitol grounds at 8:30 AM. Participating will be a band representing the Illinois National Guard, as well as representatives of police and fire departments, the military and veterans organizations. The public is invited to participate.

Matt Bettenhausen, the deputy governor for public safety and the state's director of homeland security, will be the lead speaker.

The program will be broadcast live via the state's homepage and uplinked via satellite so that school students throughout Illinois will be able to share in the event.

Watch the Rememdrance Event
The video feed requires the RealPlayer player, which is a free download.