PORT ANGELES — A ceremony honoring first responders and the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks is set for noon Monday at the newly named 9/11 Memorial Waterfront Park.
The formal ceremony, held at what was previously called Francis Street Park, will feature presentations by public safety officials, patriotic music and bagpipes, said Alan Barnard, who is organizing the event.
He said an honor guard will perform a flag ceremony, the Grand Olympics Chorus will sing patriotic music, Rick McKenzie will perform bagpipes and American Legion Riders will form a flag line.
Short presentations are scheduled by Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith and Port Angeles Fire Chief Ken Dubuc.
“It’s important to remember what happened to our country and how it affected our country as a whole, and to remember the sacrifices that were made by all those involved and those who perished as a result,” Barnard said.
Barnard said in previous years, he had planned formal ceremonies, but it began to get difficult to organize everyone. Last year, he helped plan an impromptu ceremony.
“With the City Council approving the request for a name change this year, it seemed appropriate to reinstitute a formal ceremony this year,” he said, adding he’s also had requests from people who want a central ceremony remembering the attacks.
Barnard said the city took the opportunity, after renaming the park, to redesign the sign.
He said it was a new design that the city Parks and Recreation Department will continue to use.
After the ceremony at the park, McKenzie will head up to the fire station on Fifth Street to play bagpipes.
Barnard, chair and founder of the Clallam County Public Safety Tribute Committee, was instrumental, along with Coast Guardsmen Andrew Moravec and Sam Allen, in obtaining a portion of an I-beam from the World Trade Center that rises skyward at the park.
The Coast Guardsmen asked the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey for the piece in 2009, and delivery was sanctioned by the 9/11 Commission.
It was pulled from a building where 2,752 people died, including 343 New York City firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers and 23 New York City police officers.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
