JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville will mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a series of remembrance events Friday and Saturday, including ceremonies honoring local residents who lost their lives in the attacks and in military service.
Among the weekend’s events will be the dedication of a new monument at Jacksonville City Cemetery honoring Charles Haight and Kyle Comfort, two Jacksonville residents who were killed in action while serving in the U.S. military. The monument will be unveiled during a ceremony Saturday at 11 a.m.
Paid Advertisment
Events begin Friday morning with the Jax State Stair Climb at AmFirst Stadium. First responders, including members of Jacksonville Fire Department, will climb more than 2,000 steps in memory of the first responders who died while attempting to save others at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., with the stair climb continuing until approximately 10 a.m.
At 11 a.m. Friday, the city will hold its annual Williams Family Ceremony at Jacksonville City Cemetery, 910 Church Ave. SE. The ceremony honors Dwayne Williams, a Jacksonville resident who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon.
The annual remembrance will include speakers as well as ROTC and bagpipe performances.
Friday evening, Jacksonville High School will recognize military veterans during its home football game against Sylacauga. Veterans will receive free admission to the game, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville High School football field, 1000 George Douthit Drive SW.
Events continue Saturday morning with the Ride to Remember, a 9.11-mile bicycle ride along the Chief Ladiga Trail. Riders will depart from the Jacksonville Community Center and travel toward Anniston, with participants encouraged to wear patriotic colors.
Jacksonville Police Chief Marcus Wood is scheduled to speak at 8:30 a.m., with the ride beginning afterward.
The weekend concludes with Saturday’s monument dedication at Jacksonville City Cemetery. The new memorial will honor Haight and Comfort and their military service and sacrifice.
The dedication ceremony begins at 11 a.m.
Those attending either of the ceremonies at Jacksonville City Cemetery may find the most convenient parking at Pelham Plaza, located across Church Avenue from the cemetery.
