News Releases for September 2002
September 4, 2002
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven To Hold September 11 Commemoration
Flags To Be Flown at Half Staff
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today directed all state agencies to fly the flags of the United States and North Dakota at half staff from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The Governor’s order applies to the North Dakota State Capitol and to all public buildings and grounds in the State of North Dakota.
Hoeven has proclaimed September 11 Patriot Day in North Dakota. President Bush signed U.S. Public Law 108-89 on December 18, 2001, designating September 11 Patriot Day nationally.
“September 11 changed our nation forever,” Hoeven said. “Last year, we came together with compassion and concern, and a renewed sense of national pride. This year, we will gather in remembrance of that tragic day.”
The Governor and First Lady Mikey Hoeven will mark the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a solemn commemoration at noon on the mall of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. The event will honor victims, their families, firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel, Air National Guard pilots, military personnel and all who were affected by the events of that tragic day. The Governor encourages all citizens to participate in the commemoration.
The program will include a memorial prayer and songs, the presentation of colors, an F-16 flyover and the ringing of church bells to mark the moment one year ago that terrorists hijacked commercial aircraft and struck the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the victims of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
The Governor; Bismarck Mayor John Warford; a pilot of the 119 Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, who flew over the nation’s capital on September 11, 2001; and Jenette Nelson, who lost her daughter Ann in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, will make brief remarks. Also participating with the Governor are Mayor Ken Lamont of Mandan; the Century High School Spirit of 76 and Patriot Color Guard; the Governor’s Band, Dickinson High School, and Governor’s Chorus, Maddock Public School; the Governor’s Official Mounted Honor Guard; military personnel and chaplain; firefighters; law enforcement; emergency personnel; and other citizens.
The City of Bismarck, the Bismarck Tribune, St. Alexius Medical Center and Dakota Sound Systems will join the Governor in hosting the commemoration. The Bismarck Tribune will publish a 9-11 Special Edition and sponsor a special Jeans Day on September 11, in honor of American patriots who served and died, and in memory of innocent victims of September 11. Jeans Day proceeds will go to the “Children at Play-Peace Park” in downtown Bismarck. The park, currently under development, will be dedicated to the youth of our nation, the ongoing pursuit of peace in the world and the everyday heroes. In addition, all United Blood Services Centers will hold a statewide blood drive during the week of September 8 through September 14.
In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol in Bismarck.
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