9/11 ceremonies, observances planned in McHenry County

An opportunity to remember those who served and those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack will come to Harvard’s Milky Way Park starting Thursday.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall – with more than 150 panels with tributes to veterans of various conflicts as well as those who died on Sept. 11, 2001 – will be at Milky Way Park, 300 Lawrence Road in Harvard, from Thursday through Sunday, according to the Harvard Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, which coordinated the event.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For information, contact the Harvard chamber at 815-943-4404 or info@harvcc.net.

The tribute wall is one of a handful of observances and other events tied to the anniversary of 9/11 planned for this weekend.

American Legion Post 1231, serving Lake in the Hills and Algonquin, will mark Sept. 11 with a memorial ceremony Sunday at its post, 1101 W. Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills.

Attendees are asked to arrive by 9 a.m. for coffee, juice and doughnuts with the ceremony to start promptly at 9:45 a.m. The ceremony, which will include a speaker, a minute of silence at 10:01 a.m., a 21-gun salute and taps, should conclude about 10:10 a.m.

Resurrection Catholic Church, 2918 S. Country Club Road in Woodstock, invites Woodstock fire, police and other first responders to a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by a blessing for them.

A picnic with a “Red, White and Blue” theme will follow the blessing with games for to both children, teen and adults. The church’s in-house band, Indispute, will play to cap off the event.

Johnsburg’s annual 9/11 Remembrance Flag Service starts at 9 a.m. Sunday with “a few words and a moment of silence,” organizer Barbara Klapperich said.

An array of American flags, set up this year with help from the McHenry Moose Riders, will be on display between the Old National Bank and the Johnsburg Public Library, directly across from the McHenry Township Fire District Station 2, 3710 N. Johnsburg Road. The 21 flags will remain on display until 6:30 p.m.

About 400 small flags will be on display at the McHenry High School Upper Campus, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road, as well.

A group of about 15 students will place the flags about 2:50 p.m. Friday outside the school’s main entrance in honor of the first responders who lost their lives as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a district spokeswoman said.

The students are participating in the project as part of a Social Science National Days of Service project, which seeks to teach students about working for a bigger cause, she said. The other date for the National Days of Service is Jan. 16, 2023, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The city of McHenry will also host a ceremony, at 9 a.m. Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St., mark the tragedy and “to recognize the many examples of heroism, bravery and generosity that were put forth that day and that continue to be present.”

Know of a Sept. 11 event that is not included here? Email tips@nwherald.com.