Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
**Photo courtesy of Kevin Nash**KSL Team Coverage
On this poignant five-year anniversary of September 11th, thousands of Utahns are remembering. In every county across the state, Utahns are commemorating 9-11 in their own way.
At the Healing Field in Sandy, 3,031 American flags have been placed. Each one represents someone who lost their life in 9-11. The Healing Field is one of many signs of patriotism we've seen all over Northern Utah today.
In Orem at UVSC, there was a ceremony remembering all the Utahns who volunteered and cared for those suffering in the aftermath of 9-11. At the university, police officers, fire fighters, and emergency personal gathered to pay respects to those who made the long trek from Utah to New York. Some served on the Urban Search and Rescue Team and spent four days traveling to New York City by plane, bus, and truck.
Close by in Provo, a very noticeable way to remember 9-11: An Army National Guard helicopter hovering in the skies over the city. We watched the chopper pass over Provo four times. Mayor Lewis Billings says he felt this would be a visible symbol everyone could witness, yet cause them to reflect on 9-11 in their own personal way.
In Bountiful at the South Davis Metro Fire Agency, two bells rang this morning, marking mountain standard time when each tower fell. There are also 343 flags on display; one for each fire fighter who lost their life at ground zero.
Deputy Chief Brent Argyle / S. Davis Metro Fire Agency "They are my heroes. I didn't know one of them personally. But I knew every one of them individually. I knew their heart, I knew their spirit. I knew their desire to serve and protect."
"We are thankful today, in our moment of hopelessness we have foundhope."
Hope we first saw in the faces of firefighters, raising the American flag at ground zero in what has become an indelible image of 9-11.
A Utah sculptor is finishing a bronze monument of that image, to be seen by people all over the country.
Stan Watts, Bronze Sculptor: "It is a landmark on the sundial of our history. Just as World War II, the Revolution, and the Civil War, and I am grateful for the opportunity and humbled for the opportunity to produce a monument worthy of that moment."
Stanley Watts is the only one licensed to make a scupture of that picture. It will be placed in Maryland at the fire fighting training center.
Cities across the state plan to commemorate the anniversary of September 11th. Here's a look at some of the scheduled events.
- Remembering September 11th
7:30 am & 6:30 pm "Healing Fields" Ceremony at Sandy City Hall - 7:30 am Judge Memorial High School Prayer Service
- 9 am to 1 pm Judge Memorial Community Service Fair
- 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Freedom Walk (please note the change in time)
(400 S State, Washington Square to Liberty Park) - 6:30 - 7:30 pm Utah State Fair Park
Josh Graycin, the American Idol marine, will perform in conjuction with Navy Week
Navy Band, Leap Frogs (skydivers) and Flyover - 7:00 p.m. Steve Pratt Speech Ed Kenley Theater in Layton, 7:00 p.m.
- St. George Community Commemoration - Dixie State College Hansen Stadium, 7:30 p.m.