9/11 memorial events planned in Parma

PARMA, Ohio - Several activities are planned in Parma on Sunday, Sept. 11 to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001 when more than 3,000 people, including more than 400 safety forces officials, died in simultaneous attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Father John Carlin, who is the Parma Fire Department Chaplain, will conduct a Safety Forces Memorial Mass at St. Charles Church at 9 a.m. Police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, both active and retired, are invited to attend the mass in uniform.

Father Carlin will also participate in a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at which a permanent 9/11 Memorial will be unveiled at The Shoppes at Parma. At the heart of this ceremony is the dedication of a World Trade Center I-beam, recovered from the rubble, which was donated to the Parma Fire Department by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey after a two-year application and approval process.

The I-beam was donated on the condition that the artifact would be used for public display and memorial. After the unveiling of the steel beam, which weighs more than 1,600 pounds, it will be on permanent display at The Shoppes at Parma on the W. Ridgewood side at the inset between Fast Eddies and Dick’s Sporting Goods. A plaque installed at the memorial will read, in part, “May it proudly stand as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice displayed by citizens and emergency first responders.” The plaque will also display a visual indication that the design of The Shoppes at Parma memorial, which incorporates the beam, large concrete planters and surrounding benches, represents the World Trade Center as it was before the terrorist attacks. 

The ceremony, which will include remarks by Mayor Tim DeGeeter and representatives from The Shoppes at Parma, the Parma Fire Department and the Parma Police Department, will take place at the inset between Fast Eddie’s and Dick’s. After the dedication of the I-beam, a brief memorial service will feature a gun salute, the memorial playing of Taps, and Amazing Grace on bagpipe. The memorial service will be conducted by the Parma Fire and Police Department Joint Color Guard.

Also onsite from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Parma Safety Forces are sponsoring a blood drive. Life Share will have a mobile unit at the Shoppes of Parma on the Ridgewood Drive side.

The public is encouraged and invited to attend all events.

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