Bellevue’s 21st Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will take place at American Heroes Park at 4:00 pm on Sunday, Sept. 11. The Kiwanis Club of Bellevue sponsors the ceremony, which honors fallen and wounded warriors, members of the military and first responders. American Heroes Park is located on the north side of Mission Ave. across from Haworth Park (just before the toll bridge).
The main part of the ceremony, and the reason we hold the event, is the Roll Call of our Fallen Heroes from Nebraska and Western Iowa with cadets from Bellevue and Council Bluffs Jr ROTC units honoring each fallen warrior with a military salute as members of VFW Post 10785 military units read the names, branch of service, and their hometowns. An honor guard of first responders and military leaders will lay a memorial wreath. The US, Nebraska and Iowa flags will be raised to full staff to conclude the ceremony.
It is our commitment that each of their names will always be spoken so that their memory lives in us and challenges us to live our lives to the highest standards.
Providing patriotic music will be the widely known Sarpy Serenaders.
The Bellevue Volunteer Firefighters organization will present the Ringing of the Four Fives to honor our first responders. VFW Post 10785 will conduct the 13 Folds of the Flag ceremony, honoring the values our nation was founded upon.
This ceremony honors the men and women and their families who have courageously fought for our country as well as the lives lost on that tragic day in 2001 and the first responders – firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement -- who protect us every day. We will also be honoring our Wounded Warriors and their families, who struggle daily to live complete and fulfilling lives, despite their challenges.
The primary objective in creating the memorial in 2002 was to create a place for people, especially families of fallen warriors, to come and find a place of solace and a reminder that those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. It also serves as a focal point for teaching others about the values that make America great, consistent with one of the 6 Objects of Kiwanis – to promote a more serviceable citizenship.
For More Information, Contact the project chairs: Bill or Barb O’Donnell, Kiwanis Club of Bellevue at 402-933-0866 (office) or 402-292-3387 (home, before 8:00 p.m.).