There are several events going on Thursday to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The big ceremony for us is the one at Liberty Garden at the Bossier Municipal Complex. It starts at 10 a.m. Thursday. As a special feature, Central Park Elementary fourth-grader Lylah Paige Powers will read her winning essay titled "What Is a Hero?" Other Bossier Parish students will participate by posting the colors, leading the Pledge and playing "Taps."

Cadets with the Youth Challenge Program at Camp Minden have been out this week putting up 3000 United States flags in front of the complex for the event.


As a result of the 9/11 attacks, the President declared Thursday as Patriots Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Like the Americans who chose compassion when confronted with cruelty, the Parkway Panthers will show they care for others by helping those in need. They are holding a canned food drive to support the Airmen’s Attic at Barksdale Air Force Base.

Parkway’s Air Force Junior ROTC unit will also conduct a full Retreat Ceremony at 2 p.m. in front of the school. The media and public are welcome to attend.


At 2:45 p.m., Airline High School ROTC cadets will honor all those who perished on September 11, 2001, by putting out 2,977 American flags in the middle of Brownlee Park. Then from 6-7 p.m., everyone is invited to participate in a 9/11 Remembrance Walk, sponsored by Boone Community Care. Walkers will follow a half-mile route at the park. Each participant in the walk will receive a ribbon on which to write the name of one of those that lost their life. Walkers will then attach the ribbons to a memorial wreath.


From 3-7 p.m., it's the second annual "Heroes Walk" at Benton Elementary. It begins on the school track, and a minimum donation of $1 is requested to benefit the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home.

Concessions sold will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids soldiers wounded by explosives while serving overseas. Proceeds will go toward the Wounded Warrior Hunt in November, which brings veterans here from throughout the country.

Benton Elementary hopes to raise enough money to help the Wounded Warrior Project purchase more deer blinds, which are expensive given the specialized equipment required to accommodate these soldiers’ injuries and prosthetic devices.


BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Team Barksdale will participate in Reveille at 7 a.m. Thursday as part of a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. Team Barksdale senior non-commissioned officers will be in formation and salute as the flag is raised at half-staff.

Following the flag raising ceremony, 2nd Bomb Wing Commander Col. Kristin Goodwin will provide remarks and present Senior Airman TJ Brantley from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight will with the Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal.  Tech. Sgt. Joshua Flood, also an EOD technician, will receive the Bronze Star.  Joe Galloway and Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier will also be in attendance.


Team RWB Shreveport-Bossier will be hosting its 2nd Annual 9/11 Moving Tribute on September 11, 2014 from Sunrise (6:15 a.m.) to Sunset (7:30 p.m.) Flags will be kept moving by runners, walkers or cyclists all day in remembrance of 9/11.  This free community event will be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway in Shreveport.


Thursday is also the 200th anniversary of the writing of the national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." Local schools will commemorate the day with some special programs.

South Highlands students will be in costumes and provide historical information. They're expected to sing the national anthem, and present a few patriotic surprises. Festivities start at 9:30 a.m.

Apollo Elementary will also do a Patriotic Sing-Along at 10 a.m. in the school gymnasium.


If you know of any other events or ceremonies, email us at news@710keel.com and we'll add it to our list.

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