The Veterans Memorial Park Board in The Villages will hold its annual sunset service on Sept. 11. The gathering, which begins at 6 p.m., commemorates the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and the passengers on United Flight 93 who died when their plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa.
The ceremony will be held at the 9/11 Memorial, which is dedicated to everyone who lost their lives in the attacks.
This year’s event will again feature the Field of Flags. The speakers will be Sumter County Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Siemer and Deputy Chief James Goodworth of The Villages Public Safety Department.
A Rifle Salute and “Taps” will be conducted by the Veterans’ Memorial Park Honor Guard, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Honor Guard and the Lake County Sheriff’s Honor Guard. The Villages Sounds of Scotland will play “Drummers Lost” and “Amazing Grace.” And Jillian O’Neil will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
The 9/11 Memorial is located at The Villages Public Safety Department Headquarters (Fire Station #44) at 3035 Morse Blvd. Residents are encouraged to arrive by golf cart, as parking is limited. Those attending also should bring a folding chair, as no other seating is provided.
