It’s been 20 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and several events will give pause to reflect on the day while celebrating the American spirit.
The day begins at Augusta University’s Summerville Campus.
A joint ceremony between the city of Augusta and the university will include the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Jazz Band. The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta Fire Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Augusta University ROTC honor guards will combined to present the colors and perform a ceremonial bell ringing at 8:46 a.m.
MORE: 9/11 Retrospective: Seeing ‘Farther than the Parties’
As the bell rings, the Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run will begin.
The foundation’s “mission is to honor and support first responders and the military. Tunnel to Towers is also dedicated to the memory of Siller, a fallen firefighter and father of five, who was off duty when the first plane struck. He drove to his Brooklyn fire station to retrieve his gear after hearing about the crash on the scanner,” according to the Augusta University website.
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Also on Saturday, The Augusta Ballet, the newly renamed performing company for the Columbia County Ballet, will present FREEDOM, at 6:45 p.m. on the amphitheater stage at Memorial Gardens behind the Columbia County Library.
The piece was originally created by Michael Viator, a decade ago when he was a dancer at the Columbia County Ballet. He revamped it this summer with help from his wife, Olivia. The newly imagined piece features multiple vignettes.
“It starts with the tragedy and praying for the nation, praying for healing,” he said.
Then the movement shifts.
“It turns to celebrating the freedom we have,” Olivia Viator said.
“We are excited to partner with the Columbia County Ballet for this year’s 9/11 event,” said Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan in a news release. “With it being the 20th Anniversary, we wanted to offer something different than years past. When the Columbia County Ballet approached us about using the Memorial Gardens Amphitheater for a 9/11 performance, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to honor and remember those who lost their lives along with the events of 9/11 as the ballet tells a story through a beautiful performance.”
The Augusta GreenJackets will commemorate the anniversary as well. A GreenJackets military jersey will be auctioned to benefit Forces United, which serves area military veterans. A fireworks display will be held at the game’s conclusion. The Augusta GreenJackets will take on the Columbia Fireflies at 6:05 p.m. at SRP Park.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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