Brother of Naperville Naval Cmdr. Who Died in 9/11 to Speak at Remembrance Ceremony

NAPERVILLE, IL — The brother of a Naperville Naval Commander who died at the Pentagon in the 9/11 attacks will speak at this year’s remembrance in Naperville.

Cmdr. Dan Shanower’s brother, Dr. Thomas Shanower, served two and a half years in the Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga prior to working in India and West Africa before joining the US Department of Agriculture in 1998. He currently serves as an Associate Area Director for the Agricultural Research Service’s Pacific West Area. A graduate of Naperville Central High School, Dr. Shanower obtained a bachelor’s degree from Marietta College in Ohio, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, and a PhD from the University of California-Berkeley. He and his wife Ana have three adult children.

This year’s event will take place starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 11 at the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial, located behind the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., along the Riverwalk. The Millennium Carillon bells will toll at 12:30 p.m. in remembrance of the anniversary, followed by a special performance of patriotic music by the Naperville Municipal Band at 12:45 p.m. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Municipal Center Council Chambers.

Photo: This memorial was inspired by Naperville native Naval Commander Dan Shanower, who died in the attack on the Pentagon. Dedicated on Sept. 11, 2003, the memorial is nestled between the DuPage River and the Municipal Center in downtown Naperville. (Courtesy of the City of Naperville.)