<cal2>On Sunday , Sept. 11, Arlington County will pause to remember the lives lost at the Pentagon three years ago on 9/11 and to honor those who responded to the attack. The public is invited to attend the brief observance that will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette will host the event. The program will include a combined honor guard, the singing of the National Anthem, a moment of silence at 9:37 a.m. and the tolling of a bell 184 times, once for each victim.
Also on that day, the community is encouraged to display American flags in remembrance as part of “Flags Across Arlington.” Other Sept. 11-related events in the County in the coming weeks include:
The Pentagon's America's Heroes Memorial and Chapel: Public Tours. The memorial, dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, and the chapel will be open to public tours from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10. Tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Visit www.whs.mil/911_2005.cfm.
The September Project: As part of the national September Project, Arlington Public Library will host a discussion entitled "The Political Scene in 2005 — Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" which will showcase a conversation between David Broder, a columnist for the Washington Post, and Allen Ehrenhalt, editor of Governing Magazine. The program will address the dangers of extreme partisan politics and the need for common ground and dialogue. Audience participation is encouraged. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., 2-4 p.m., Sept. 10. No admission charge. Call 703-228-3348 or visit www.arlingtonva.us to access the Department of Libraries Web pages.
9/11 Memorial 5K. This year's Arlington Police/Fire/Sheriff 9/11 memorial 5K is being held at 6 p.m. Sept. 10. The run begins and ends at the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City, 300 Army-Navy Drive. It is a family-friendly race that benefits military and public safety support organizations. Prizes are awarded for top finishers in open, military, law enforcement and firefighter categories. Information and online registration are available at www.arlington911race.com.
Remembering Sept. 11. Park rangers who were working at the site on Sept. 11, 2001 will share their experiences with visitors to the Arlington House, Robert E Lee Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10. For more information call Frank Cucurullo at 703-235-1530.
The America Supports You Freedom Walk is being held Sept. 11 to remember the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, to honor U.S. troops and veterans, and to highlight the value of freedom. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. and follow a two-mile route from the Pentagon to Arlington National Cemetery, across Memorial Bridge, passing several national memorials and ending on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. At the conclusion of the walk, participants will be invited to a concert by country music singer and songwriter Clint Black. The walk is free and open to the public. Those interested in walking must register to participate at www.americasupportsyou.mil. Registration closes at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9. The walk will be preceded by a private ceremony for the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon. The Pentagon Memorial Fund is sponsoring the ceremony, and additional information is available at www.pentagonmemorial.net. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the Pentagon South parking lot between 7 and 8 a.m. The first 1,000 registered walkers to arrive will receive the official America Supports You campaign lapel pin.
Fourth annual First Responders Cup: First responders and the Arlington Girls Softball Association will host a three-day softball tournament Sept. 16 to 18 commemorating 9/11, involving more than 200 girls and their families from communities directly affected by the terrorist attacks. The event is a memorial to those who lost their lives and a celebration of those who responded that day. For a full schedule of the weekend activities, contact George Barusso, program director, at 571-237-0670 or george.barusso@comcast.net.
Virginia Resilience Project Post-9/11 is sponsoring a series of community events in Northern Virginia through Sept. 30 to help promote the resilience of 9/11 victims, their families and first responders. Events are free; registration is required. For information call 1-800-FYI-CALL or visit www.ncvc.org/resilience.