While the softball tournament was canceled due to soggy fields, all other events planned to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are still on for this weekend, rain or shine.
First up is the 10th annual Arlington Police, Sheriff and Fire 9/11 5K race, which will get underway in Pentagon City at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. To accommodate the race, a number of roads will be closed between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., including parts of Army Navy Drive, S. 12th Street, Crystal Drive and the Pentagon South parking area.
Residents should also expect a ceremonial flyover of four police helicopters between 5:45 and 6:00 p.m. The race, which has been growing in scale since its inception, is sold out this year.
“This is clearly our biggest year,” said race co-founder and retired Arlington County Police Officer Matthew Smith. “We’ve had tremendous support, and have a lot of meaningful additions for this year’s race.”
“Over the nine years we’ve probably given out over $350,000″ to a number of 9/11 and military charities, Smith added. “The race provide[s] an opportunity give back… It should be a memorable experience for all.”
Following the race, at 7:30 p.m., Arlington County will hold its official 9/11 tribute event at the Air Force Memorial, which overlooks the section of the Pentagon that was struck by American Airlines Flight 77.
The tribute, which is free and open to the public, will feature the U.S. Air Force Band Brass Quintet Ensemble, the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard, the Arlington County Combined Honor Guard, Wakefield High School’s a capella choir “The Madrigals,” Macedonia Baptist Church Music Ministry, and a commemoration by the Pentagon Memorial Fund’s Jim Laychak. Transportation and parking information is available from the county’s web site.
Then, at 9:37 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, bells will peal at the old Hume School (1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road) to mark the exact moment when terrorists flew the jetliner into the Pentagon. Oakridge Elementary students will ring the school’s bell 184 times — once for each victim of the attack. The school, now used as the Arlington Historical Society Museum, is hosting a new Pentagon 9/11 Exhibit, which includes the charred Pentagon heliport sign that was 50 feet from the point of impact.
It may be a publicity stunt, and it may not even be ethical, but the Carvel store in Clarendon (3222 Wilson Boulevard) is hosting a giveaway for the agencies that responded to the Pentagon on 9/11. The store will be giving away free ice cream to anyone who shows their badge at the store on Sunday.
“I am so proud to live in a country where we have such heroic people committed to keeping us safe,” Carvel Arlington owner Tuhin Ahmed said in a statement. “This is just a small way for me to honor these heroes and let them know that their sacrifices are appreciated.”
Finally, on Monday, Wakefield High School students will be treated to a free screening of a new Discovery Channel documentary. The Steven Spielberg-produced documentary series Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero will be screened for Wakefield students Monday afternoon.
Discovery is sponsoring the event, which will include a panel discussion with the Pentagon Memorial Fund’s Laychak, Arlington School Board Chair Abby Raphael, Arlington Fire Department Chief James Schwartz, Discovery executive Scott Kinney and Kathy Dillaber, who worked in the Pentagon where the flight crashed. Dillaber lost her younger sister and 23 colleagues on 9/11.
Flickr pool photo (middle) by Philliefan99
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I ran in the Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K a couple years ago. It was a fun event, a good mix between friendly competition and remembrance of the victims of 9/11. I’d love to do it every year but I’m doing the Nation’s Triathlon tomorrow. (That will be a bike/run event this year because of the dangerous and unsanitary river conditions, due to the heavy rains this week.)
They did a very good job with the 9/11 Memorial next to the Pentagon. An appropriate design that leads visitors to reflect on that day and all the innocent lives lost.
The flag is not to be used for clothing. Maybe Arl Now should know that and not use that photo to give ignorant people the idea it is okay.
It’s our flag, so don’t wear it like a rag.
The guy’s not using it as clothing. He is literally wrapping himself in the flag. He’s more patriotic than thou….
The flag code is not enforced or enforceable. It’s almost, but not quite like suggesting ARLnow shouldn’t run pictures of people in white after Labor Day…..or better – wearing a mullet haircut.
They’re going to ring a bell 184 times in a row? And on a Sunday morning? Thank God I don’t live near there.
I could see ringing it a few times, but that’s way past a solemn tribute and into just-plain-irritating territory.
You are self-centered and heartless! The ringing of bells one morning honoring 184 innocent people that died is a problem for you?
Don’t feed the troll. It’ s probably not even an Arlington resident, but the Iranian Cyber Army or the Red Chinese. We saw this before on the Arlington National Cemetery thread.
This is just a person who gets some silly joy out of saying things to purposely upset people. Don’t engage. Just ignore.
There is a flag code. Section 8d Respect for flag; “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel.”
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm
If it is giving emotional comfort, I don’t see a problem.
Whenever I think of “wearing” the Flag, I always think of Jim Craig wrapped up in the Flag after winning the gold in ’80, with his father hugging him. I don’t think anyone had a problem with that, nor should anyone have a problem with this – if you’re showing the Flag respect, I think you should be able to display it however you like.
Correction — wore the flag after upsetting Soviets in semis…sorry…
WRONG. It’s not whatever makes YOU feel good. There is a flag code… referenced above.
But what if it makes me feel REALLY good?
I think that code needs updating.
I’d make her take it off…
No, it’s a “code”, not a criminally enforceable statute. Flag desecration is under a different section. I’m not saying you should use the flag as diapers for your baby; I’m saying that if you want to wear the flag as your way of showing patriotism, then it shouldn’t be an issue. Look at the pic – the guy is wearing the flag walking to the Pentagon memorial. For all we know, he lost someone that day. So, in a way, it IS whatever makes you feel good (within reason). What’s wrong with that?
Correct… not a criminally enforceable statute. You’re just on your Honor to do what’s right.
Better tell that to all the right-wingers who wear the flag lapel pin, and complain that Obama isn’t wearing it 24/7/365.
Wearing or not wearing a pin doesn’t make you patriotic. That is so stupid. I had an argument once with someone who was upset that I didn’t have some yellow ribbon or flag magnet on my car. My patriotism apparently is judged by what do-dads I stick on my bumper. How silly of me, I thought it was the 15 years I’ve spent in the military that speaks to my dedication, but I guess not….