Remembering 9/11 Amid Coronavirus: Virtual Services In Canton

CANTON, GA — Over the years, the nation has come together at ceremonies in Canton and other U.S. communities to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

However, as the 19th anniversary of the attacks arrives, ceremonies are likely to look different.

To date, more than 6 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting community leaders to put in place extra precautions and enhanced safety measures at these annual events. While some communities are moving events online, others are canceling events out of an abundance of caution.

Canton is one of many communities planning virtual 9/11 ceremonies amid the pandemic.

Cherokee County public safety leaders invite the public to join a virtual Patriot Day ceremony at 8:46 a.m. on Friday.

The start time reflects the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center tower 19 years ago.

The ceremony, held every year since September 2002, traditionally is hosted at Rotary Park between the Historic Courthouse and the Justice Center. To minimize group gatherings yet still commemorate the 19th anniversary of 9/11, officials opted to pre-record and present the ceremony in a video format.

“We understand some do not want to attend group gatherings, and we wanted to ensure that all who would like to honor this day with us has the chance,” said Cherokee Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson. “A huge thank you to Justin Webb and everyone who played a role in making this happen. This is always a special event to me, and I’m glad we are able to still commemorate it and share memories of that day.”

This year’s ceremony will feature Sheriff Frank Reynolds, Cherokee Fire Chief Tim Prather, Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas, Cherokee 911 Director Priscilla Bridges, Cherokee EMA Director Craig Milsap, Holly Springs Police Deputy Chief Tommy Keheley, Ball Ground Police Chief Bryon Reeves, Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield, Woodstock Police Chief Calvin Moss and School District Police Chief Buster Cushing.

The ceremony also features District 2 County Commissioner Raymond Gunnin who will give the invocation. Reynolds and Prather will continue the wreath-laying tradition.

The 2020 Patriot Day Ceremony will begin at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, on the official Cherokee County, GA Facebook Page and on Facebook Watch. Additionally, the video will be posted to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office YouTube page.

“Please feel free to share the video with your friends and neighbors as we honor those who gave their all trying to save others on that Tuesday morning 19 years ago,” Robinson added.

Services held at 9/11 attack sites will also look different this year because of the pandemic. Some have already faced a series of hurdles to go on as planned.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to send state health personnel to New York City to provide supervision during the annual "Tribute in Light" ceremony, a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Cuomo said staff will be on hand to "ensure this year's tribute is held safely."
Cuomo's announcement came just days after 9/11 Memorial & Museum officials had nixed the 2020 tribute due to coronavirus concerns.

Now, the focus of the New York City commemoration will be reading the names of victims. Family members will not read the names in person this year; instead, recorded readings from the museum's In Memoriam exhibition will be used for the ceremony.

In Arlington County, Virginia, located just outside Washington, D.C., the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial remains closed to visitors because of COVID-19 restrictions. Arlington County typically holds an annual remembrance ceremony, which this year will be held virtually. Specific plans for this year's service will be released the week of Sept. 11, according to county spokesperson Erika Moore.

In Pennsylvania, the National Park Service will hold an abbreviated ceremony at Shanksville. The 20-minute "Moment of Remembrance" is set to begin at 9:45 a.m., without a keynote speaker or musical guests.

The names of each passenger and crew member from Flight 93 will be read aloud with the ringing of the "Bells of Remembrance," according to the agency's website.

Both President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plan to visit Shanksville on Friday. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, will attend Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies in New York this year.