Local events set in remembrance of 9/11

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Thousands lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, and every year, people gather to remember them.

Mahoning Valley 9/11 Memorial Park on South Raccoon Road in Austintown was created to honor the lives lost on 9/11. It’s across from the Austintown Middle School and has spots dedicated to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as memorials to first responders.

A service was held there on Wednesday morning. The Austintown Beautification Committee hosted this event.

J.R. Blakeman was the special guest. He is a Marine Corps veteran and he served as a law enforcement officer in the area until he retired in 2015.

The Austintown Fitch Band and Choir, as well as the Springfield High Choir, was also part of the ceremony.

In Boardman, young children came together to commemorate something that happened when their parents were grade schoolers.

Students and teachers invited local first responders to the annual Patriots Day ceremony at Stadium Elementary. As part of the program, Principal Michael Zoccoli gave the kids an “assignment” to thank first responders they met.

“I think just a little thank you. Even as adults, many times, we get lost in that, and I think that’s something that any 5-, 6-, 40-, 50-year-old can do on a regular basis because these are the individuals that are keeping us safe and protecting us and our families,” Zoccoli said.

The program finished with some of the third graders planting a tree on school property to honor those who serve their community and those who died on this day 23 years ago.

The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department will host their 9/11 memorial service at the fire station at 6 p.m. In 2011, the department obtained two beams from the World Trade Center and is now on permanent display.

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