Posted: 9/4/02

Events planned to remember September 11

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The significance of September 11 will not be lost on the Forest Lake community. A variety of commemoration events to remember the victims and honor those who served are being planned throughout the community.

Forest Lake

Forest Lake Police, Forest Lake Fire and North Ambulance and EMS will journey through the community in a silent procession with lights on during the time of attacks.

Lining up at city hall at 8:20 a.m., the procession will begin with the sound of air horns at 8:45 a.m. to mark the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center South Tower.

At 9:05 a.m., an air horn will sound to mark the collapse of the South Tower.

At 9:26, an air horn will sound and all emergency personnel will take a minute of silence around the American Flag at Forest Lake City Hall, 220 N. Lake St., to mark the collapse of the North Tower.

The procession, which begins at 8:45 a.m. takes off from city hall, travels south down US-61, turns west at West Broadway Avenue, south on SW 12th Street, east on SW 11th Avenue and then north on US-61 back to city hall.

Randy Johnson, a member of the Forest Lake Fire Department, said the idea for a commemoration event came up at a department meeting.

ìThe hope is just to keep people aware,î Johnson said. ìTo show our support in the community. Itís more or less to mark the day and let people know weíre thinking of it.î

While the community is invited to participate in their thoughts and watch the procession, Johnson stressed this is not a festival, rather a somber reflection.

ìThis is a somber type of activityóno tinsel. This is for the real cause,î Johnson said.

Wyoming

Wyoming emergency personnel also will be recognizing the significance of Sept. 11.

First responders and their respective vehicles will be gathering in the area of the hardware store and Bruceís IGA on the morning of the anniversary of the attack.

A ladder will be extended from a Wyoming fire truck as a makeshift flagpole with the flag half mast. 8:46 a.m., the time of the crash, will be marked.

The community is invited to come out and show their support.

Church activities

ï An evening service to commemorate the tragedy of September 11, 2001 is being planned by several area churches.

The solemn service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Lakeside Park in Forest Lake.

The community is invited to come and share an hour of music, scripture, story and prayer to honor those who died, support loved ones who still grieve and recognize all who serve our communities as firefighters, police and rescue and through other means of public service. For more information call 464-5502.

ï Immanuel Church of Forest Lake will be remembering the victims and lessons of Sept. 11 at the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday, Sept. 8. State Sen. Michelle Bachman will be the guest speaker.

The community is invited to this hour-long tribute to remember the fallen while facing the future in the confidence of Godís presence. Immanuel Church is located one mile west of I-35 at 9511 W. Broadway Ave. Nursery care is provided. Call 651-464-7504 for information.

ï On Sunday, Sept. 8, Forest Hills United Methodist Church will be holding special services with patriotic music at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to remember and honor those who bravely lost their lives on 9-11.

Additionally, the entire month of September will be an open house for all who seek a quiet, safe or happy place. Two services are offered every Sunday: a traditional service at 9 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:30 a.m.

Forest Hills United Methodist Church is located at 1790 SE 11th St. (corner of TH-97 and CR-37, across from Conoco station) in Forest Lake. Call 651-462-5249 with any questions.

ï On Wednesday evening, September 11th, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wyoming will haveÝa service of prayer and remembrance at 7:30 p.m.Ý

This service will include scripture readings, special music with harp, prayers, and the lighting of candles in remembrance of theÝvictims of September 11th and their families.

The community is invited and encouraged to attend.Ý St. Paul Lutheran is located 1/2 mile east of US-61 on CR-22 in Wyoming.

ï St. Peterís Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 3657 in Forest Lake are planning a Blue Mass during the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass Sunday, Sept. 8 to commemorate the tragedy this nation faced.

This Blue Mass is intended to remember all those victims and honor the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty as well as the firefighters, peace officers, paramedics and EMTs who serve the local area. Individuals who serve in those capacities are encouraged to come in uniform and join St. Peterís for Mass and fellowship.

There also will be a mass open to the whole parish at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. The mass includes commissioning of the churchís Faith Formation Catechists.

For further information contact St. Peterís Liturgy Office at 651-982-2224.

ï Grace Alliance Church in Forest Lake is planning a prayer service entitled ìPray For Our Nationî 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. Grace Alliance Church is located at 432 SE 11th Ave.

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