Slowly, as the years fade away from the horrendous terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, newer generations of Americans may slowly be forgetting about the dark day in world history when terrorists hijacked four airline passenger jets and proceeded to ram two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the side of The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and another in a field in western Pennsylvania.
A twilight observance remembers the heroism of that day 23 years ago and reflects on the days afterward when tragedy struck after the hijackings. Terrorists crashed three of the jets into the three iconic buildings on the East Coast, thus building into this year’s theme at the annual 9/11 ceremony at Carson City’s Mills Park.
On that day in 2001, 2,996 people died including 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers.
A light dinner, snacks and refreshments begin at 5 p.m. at Mills Park and end 60 minutes later with the memorial remembrance commencing at 6 p.m. The Carson City 9/11 event concludes similar events held during the morning at Fernley and Fallon.
“It is of paramount importance that we remember the things that brought our nation together,” said Pastor Pat Propster of Calvary Chapel in Carson City. “That at the places of memorials, we would continue to have times of remembrances. This will ensure that we never forget. We must determine and purpose ourselves to always remember.”
Propster said the evening will focus on worship and reflection, especially beginning with the day after the worst act of terrorism on United States soil killed thousands. He takes an active role by reuniting America’s citizens to Christ in prayer and bonded with the spirit of “patriotism and liberty, love and respect, thoughts and actions of selfishness and usefulness.” He said citizens fulfilled their call to Jesus Christ.
“That selfless heart was lived out across our nation, especially seen, in all the first responders responding to United Airlines flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; the Twin Towers (World Trade Center) in New York; and at The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia.
Propster said the offices and departments of the Carson City mayor, sheriff and fire chief in conjunction with the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship Prayer Team have planned the annual 9/11 remembrance for 2024. The memorial site at Mills Park is located near the entrance of the Marv Teixeira Pavilion.
“This remembrance will gather us together for a time of Worship and reflection,” Propster said. “Prayers will be offered between the thoughts and heartfelt words of encouragement from Mayor Lori Bagwell, Sheriff Kenny Furlong and Fire Chief Sean Slamon.”
One of the oldest 9/11 ceremonies in northern Nevada will be conducted in the morning at Fallon City Hall. Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford frequently compares the attack on Pearl Harbor, with those at the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. Tedford’s concerns center on residents who will slowly forget about 9/11 as did the generations after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. 
The terrorists of Sept. 11 bring back thoughts of the Pearl Harbor attack almost 83 years ago. Tedford said the Japanese brought the fight to American soil since the Hawaiian Islands were a U.S. territory with U.S. military bases. Likewise, the 9/11 terrorists brought the fight to the American mainland.
Fallon will host its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. in the courtyard behind city hall.
Tedford preaches the importance of that day 23 years ago and how the area was affected because of the city’s close proximity to Naval Air Station Fallon. As the mayor of a military city, the longtime Fallon resident said he appreciates local law enforcement and firefighters who stand ready to protect the thousands of residents in Churchill County.
The Fernley ceremony begins its observance on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Out of Town Park east of the downtown corridor. Rich Crombie, a spokesman with the Nevada Veterans Coalition, said the organization sponsors the annual event with speakers and patriotic messages. In addition to the NVC, he said the North Lyon County Fire Department, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department and the city of Fernley will honor the hundreds of law enforcement officers and firefighters who died in New York City and at the Pentagon.
All three observances will remember the passengers on United Flight 93 who heroically wrestled the controls of the jet from hijackers, only to have the plane crash in a field in western Pennsylvania, killing all aboard.
The guest speaker for the Fernley 9/11 Remembrance is Mayor Neal McIntyre and the keynote speaker is J.R. Stafford, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Sierra Nevada Chapter 989.
Fireman and Policeman’s Prayers will be offered by Sharon Serenko and Linda Carr. Serenko will also deliver the benediction. The closing for the program will be conducted by retired Col. Susan Malone, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for Nevada.
