This year will mark 25 years since the terrorist attacks on the U.S. at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and aboard Flight 93, which crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Memorial services will be held all across our region. Here are a few that will be taking place on September 11.
BERKS COUNTY
Hamburg: First Reformed United Church of Christ will ring its bells 11 times on Friday, Sept. 11, at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. in observance of the 25th anniversary of the four attacks on 9/11.
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Maxatawny Township: Kutztown University will host 9/11 Flags of Remembrance in Alumni Plaza on Friday, Sept. 11. Moments of silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. Guest speakers will address those in attendance at 10:15 a.m. The Kutztown Pipe Band and First Responder Tribute will follow at 11 a.m. 9/11 memorial displays are located in Old Min, at the Alumni Remembrance Tree, and in the McFarland Student Union.
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Oley Township: Reading Community Players will present “110 Stories” by Sara Tuft, a powerful docu-play that brings together eyewitness accounts from Sept. 11, 2001. Through a series of short, intimate monologues and ensemble scenes, the piece honors the ordinary people who responded to extraordinary events and explores themes of courage, compassion, and resilience. The play will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, at Friedens United Church of Christ, which is located at 337 Main St. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Proceeds will benefit the Berks County Firemen’s Association.
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Reading: The YMCA of Reading & Berks County invites the community to take part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Challenge from Sept. 1 through Sept. 11. Participants can climb 110 stories on the stairclimber (or 1,980 steps) in honor of the climb in the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. They can sign a memorial banner to share their climb and honor the names of those who they’re remembering. “Join us as we climb to honor, climb to remember, and climb to never forget.”
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Reading: The Reading Fire Department will hold its September 11 memorial service starting at 8:43 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. It will take place at the “Memorial Tree” in City Park. Additionally, City Hall and the Pagoda will be lit up in red, white, and blue to remember those who lost their lives that day.
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Reading: Berks County will hold a 9/11 25-year remembrance ceremony in front of the Services Center on Reed Street from 10 until 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. The program will feature the presentation of colors, the national anthem, guest speakers, and a fire department bell ringing. Special guests include singer/songwriter Kendal Conrad and U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a U.S. Air Force veteran. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the building’s second-floor auditorium.
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Shillington: The Opus One Berks Chamber Choir will host a solemn commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a 9/11 memorial concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is located at 30 Liberty St. Adult tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Student tickets cost $10. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Berks County Community Foundation’s First Responders First Fund.
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Union Township: Birdsboro-Union Fire Department will host a 9/11 memorial service at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Daniel Boone High School. The service will include a keynote speech by Pennsylvania state Rep. Mark Gillen.
BUCKS COUNTY
Lower Makefield Township: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies will be held at The Garden of Reflection, which is located at 1950 Woodside Rd. The ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. and will follow the timeline of the attacks with the tolling of a memorial bell at each significant event. The names of the 18 county residents and all Pennsylvanians who were killed in the attacks will be read aloud. There will also be remarks from community leaders. An evening ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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Nockamixon Township: Palisades Regional Fire Rescue will host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at its station, which is located at Routes 611 and 412, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.
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Richland Township: Quakertown American Legion Post 242 will hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Univest Performance Center, which is located at 301 West Mill St. The ceremony will take place from 8 a.m. to noon.
HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J.
Flemington: Hunterdon County will hold a 25th anniversary commemoration and memorial and dedication at the new 9/11 Memorial at Hilltop Reserve on 214 Thatcher’s Hill Rd. The dedication will start at 8:30 a.m., but organizers urge guests to arrive by 8 a.m. The county will honor the 15 Hunterdon County residents who lost their lives on 9/11. Additionally, the event will feature special guest speaker Mark Desire, assistant director of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and manager of the World Trade Center DNA Identification Team.
LEHIGH COUNTY
Allentown: Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena will hold a Red, White & Blue Mass at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. The church is located at 1825 West Turner St. Retired U.S. Army colonel and surgeon Sister Dede Byrne will speak after the Mass.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown: Montgomery County will hold a ceremony to rededicate its 9/11 memorial at its new home in Elmwood Park, which is located at 1325 Harding Blvd., at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.
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Upper Merion Township: Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge and the Veterans Commission will host a 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance service at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. The service will begin in the chapel and conclude with a walk to the grave of Louis J. Nacke II, local hero of Flight 93, for prayers, reflection, and the tolling of bells.
MONROE COUNTY
Tobyhanna Township: Pocono Lions Club will mark Sept. 11 with a ceremony at the Lake Naomi Club Beach, which is located at 135 Miller Dr. It will run from 8 a.m. until noon.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Bethlehem: SteelStacks will observe Patriot Day starting with a performance of the national anthem at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, by U.S. Navy veteran Velvet Salgado. That will be followed by a “Time to Remember” ceremony and then a performance by the band The Aardvarks.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
The 9/11 Remembrance Ride will wind its way through western Schuylkill and northern Dauphin counties. Participants will be riding by six schools along the 110-mile journey. It will start at 8:46 a.m. at 1 Midway Road in Porter Township. The event is hosted by the American Legion Riders Chapter 468, Tower City. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
WARREN COUNTY, N.J.
Hackettstown: The town will hold a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 8:45 a.m. at the 9/11 memorial in front of the Municipal Building at 215 West Stiger St.
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Lopatcong Township: Warren County Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will take place starting at 9 .m. at the Warren County Emergency Services and 9/11 Memorial, which is located at 1024 Route 57. It will go until 10 a.m.