Twenty years ago, the world watched in horror as two planes hit the World Trade Center, bringing two buildings crashing to the ground and killing thousands. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon, and another was brought down into a Pennsylvania field to avoid even more calamity.
That tragic day has been solemnly recognized every year since. This year, the local community will come together in a special memorial tribute.
Iola Reads, in partnership with the City of Iola, Iola Police and Fire departments, will sponsor a Sept. 11 Memorial Walk around the downtown square in recognition of fallen first responders.
They’ll offer 412 lanyards, each with the name of a first responder who died when the towers fell. The lanyards are available at the Iola Public Library and area schools. Simply come to one of those locations, sign up and receive a lanyard to wear during the walk.
“You can walk for that person, since that person can’t walk for themselves,” Deb Greenwall, with Iola Reads, said.
The walk begins at 9 a.m., paying tribute to the time when the first tower fell at 8:59 a.m. Central time. The second tower fell at 9:28 a.m.
The walk will include a moment of silence, and the names of each of the 412 first responders will be read.
The walk will conclude at 10:15 a.m.
Those who want to attend but don’t want to walk can bring lawn chairs and listen as the names are read.
A banner listing the names of all 3,042 people who died, which is currently on display at the library, will be moved to the square for the event.
“A lot of us who went through that tragedy, we felt so helpless. It was really hard,” Greenwall said. “In this way, you can do something. You can walk for someone and recognize that person.
“I think it will be very touching and it might help some of us.”
