The City of Sweet Home and Sweet Home Assembly of God in conjunction with seven other churches are planning two memorials for the events of Sept. 11.
The city’s commemoration starts at 6:15 on Sept. 11 at the flag pole in Sankey Park. The program is an hour long. Sweet Home Assembly’s service starts at 7 p.m. and is just more than an hour long.
In the Sankey Park commemoration, the VFW will present the colors. George Dominy will lead a group in the national anthem followed by an invocation.
Mayor Craig Fentiman will provide a welcome and opening remarks. Flags will then be lowered to half-mast by the VFW Color Guard or the Boy Scouts followed by recognition of police officers and firefighters who gave their lives a year ago. The Fireman’s Prayer and the Police Man’s prayer will be read with the tolling of the bells and a moment of silence, and “Taps” will be played on bagpipes.
Fifth- and sixth-grade students will present the “Freedom” program, and those present will sing “God Bless the USA.”
At Sweet Home Assembly, a patriotic hymn will follow opening prayer for the service, services around the nation, and the families of Sept. 11 victims. Statistics and a memorial for Sept. 11 will be read and military, police, fire and civil servants recognized.
A short video will be presented followed by the reading of “Remembering,” special music and a short sermon and invitation to unbelievers.
Closing prayer will be to remember the nation and its citizens, God’s protection and His help proclaiming his message of hope around the world.
Mayoral Proclamation
“Day for Remembrance”
Sept. 11, 2002
Whereas, Sept. 11, 2001 was the date for an attack on the USA by terrorist of unscrupulous nature using hijacked airliners as missiles, which created destruction and claimed the lives of more than 2,800 persons; and
Whereas many police, fire and military personnel lost their lives in heroic efforts to rescue innocent people and thus are considered heroes for their actions on behalf of others; and
Whereas the USA is committed to bringing the terrorists to justice and to wiping out the threat of terrorism from our shores, resolving to never forget those innocent victims; and
Whereas we in our home cities regard our police and fire personnel as heroes for each day they risk their lives in performance of their duties; and
Whereas we should work continually to promote goodwill, peace, responsible citizenship, patriotism and love of country; and
Whereas we as citizens can memorialize the victims and the heroes of that day by honoring our own police and fire personnel each Sept. 11 in an annual demonstration to thank these public safety personnel for their efforts in keeping us safe and free;
Now therefore, I Craig S. Fentiman, Mayor of the City of Sweet Home, Ore., do proclaim Sept. 11, 2002 as a day for remembrance and ask that the citizens of Sweet Home, Ore., forever, with respect, remember those whose lives were suddenly and without cause taken from them and to pay respect and honor to the men and women who daily perform acts of courage to protect us here in Sweet Home.