DAR to sponsor 9/11 remembrance program at Robe-Ann Park

On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Washburn Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will conduct a public remembrance of the events, victims, heroes and survivors of the 2001 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

A formal 11 a.m. ceremony of 30-40 minutes will be staged Saturday, Sept. 11 in the bandshell near the Bloomington Street entrance of Greencastle’s Robe-Ann Park, followed by the planting of an October Glory red maple near the DAR Cabin at the park entrance. The Greencastle Park Board Wednesday night gave unanimous approval for use of the bandshell for the program and waived the regular $100 rental fee.

The formal program will be preceded at 10 a.m. by activities for children, including patriotic songs, DAR member Diana Brumfield told the Park Board.

The Park Board eagerly gave its blessing for the event.

“In our office we were talking about whether there would be a 9/11 remembrance and then Diana (Brumfield) came along,” Park Director Rod Weinschenk said.

Park Board President Cathy Merrell applauded the DAR effort.

“What a great way to observe the day. It’s a great cause to be able to be part of,” she said.

Board member Peter Meyer agreed.

“It’s a special day,” he said, “so I have no problem waiving the fee.”

“We have never done this before,” Brumfield said, noting that the DAR Cabin hasn’t been getting ”as much use as we’d like.”

The DAR had tried a Christmas program at the cabin a couple of times, complete with Santa Claus and the Covered Bridge Chorus, but cold weather has always affected attendance.

But now the attention will turn to the remembrance of 9/11 and the terrorist attacks on America.

Besides attending the Saturday, Sept. 11 program at the park, the DAR suggests persons can remember the day by lowering flags to half-mast, ringing church bells or observing a moment of silence at any or all of the following times marking key moments on 9/11:

-- 8:46 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash American Airlines Flight 11 into floors 93 through 99 of the North Tower.

-- 9:03 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 77 through 85 of the South Tower.

-- 9:37 a.m.: Hijackers deliberately crash American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, near Washington, D.C.

-- 9:59 a.m.: The South Tower collapses.

-- 10:03 a.m.: After learning of the other attacks, passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 launch a counterattack on hijackers aboard their plane to try to seize control of the aircraft. In response, the hijackers crash the plane into an empty field near Shanksville, Pa.

-- 10:28 a.m.: The North Tower collapses, leaving the 16-acre World Trade Center site in ruins and collateral damage affecting all adjacent properties and streets.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. More than one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

To learn more about DAR membership, visit https://www.facebook.com/Washburn.NSDAR or contact dianabrumfield@gmail.com.