Several events are planned to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which occurred 20 years ago this year.
City Council member Danny Turner, Sheriff Steve Draper, and the Martinsville-Henry County’s Chamber Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) have organized A Moment of Remembrance, set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Martinsville Uptown Farmers’ Market.
The event, organized to thank first responders, will include speeches by former congressman Virgil Goode and State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Moneta. A flag and remembrance ceremony for Jonathan Bowling, a city police officer killed in Afghanistan, is included in the event.
Meal vouchers, will be presented to first responders, may be redeemed for a free meal in Uptown Martinsville restaurants.
Martinsville Mayor Kathy Lawson, her husband, and a group of volunteers will place 165 flags in the Uptown area in commemoration of the day.
Later that evening, the third annual Emergency Services Parade will begin in downtown Bassett at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to line the streets to show their support for M-HC’s local heroes from Martinsville and Henry County’s emergency services, including fire, EMS, police, and 911 communications staff will bring the parade in downtown Bassett along Fairystone Park Highway. The route continues down Virginia Avenue, Memorial Boulevard, and Greensboro Road before ending at the Martinsville Speedway, where visitors will have a chance to meet local responders and take pictures with emergency vehicles. A moment of remembrance to honor those impacted by the 9/11 attacks is included in the event.
