Fifty doves are to be released this morning in Howard Amon Park to pay tribute to the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The ceremony is at 9 a.m. at the fingernail stage in the Richland park off Lee Boulevard.

The event also will honor veterans and police, fire and emergency responders in the Tri-City area.

Boy Scout Troop 190 of Richland will be the honor guard and will lead the Pledge of Allegiance to start the ceremony, said organizer Patricia Adams with Heaven's White Wings.

Richland fire Capt. Tom Huntington, who has worked for the department for 16 years, will speak.

And former Staff Sgt. Andrew McMann of Kennewick, who received the Bronze Star medal with Valor last year, also will speak.

The 1998 Richland High graduate was working for the Hanford Patrol when his Army Reserve unit was called to Iraq in July 2006. His unit's job was to find and disarm improvised explosive devices before he was injured by a roadside bomb while riding in a military vehicle.

He spent a month getting medical care at Fort Knox, Tenn., then returned to Kennewick in May 2007. He has since left military service.

Several musical selections also are planned, along with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps by Veterans of Foreign Wars Richland Post 7952.

Adams is encouraging people to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

Other events include:

-- A gathering is planned in Richland today to counteract the actions of a Florida pastor who threatened to burn the Islamic holy book, the Quran, to mark the anniversary of 9/11.

In the Tri-Cities, World Citizens for Peace and the Tri-Cities Islamic Center have organized a counter event of freedom and respect for all religions at 4 p.m. in John Dam Plaza on George Washington Way in Richland.

A moment of silence for the victims of 9/11, prayers by representatives of a range of faiths and songs, including "America the Beautiful," are planned.

-- A special blood drive is planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Parish of the Holy Spirit, 7409 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick. Nine American flags will be flying along Clearwater and around the parish in honor of 9/11. The Pizza Hut on Columbia Center Boulevard will be donating pizza for lunch.

-- A Patriot Day observance is planned today at the Tri-Cities Elks Lodge in honor of 9/11.

The memorial ceremony is at 2 p.m. and also will recognize veterans, including those recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. The public is welcome.

After the ceremony there will be a hamburger and hot dog picnic. A bounce house, crafts and balloon artist are planned for children.

There also will be live music until 6 p.m.

The event is free but donations will be accepted for Elks veterans' charities, including a shipment of troop care packages scheduled for later this month.

RSVP by calling 735-6035 or Suzi at 554-4172. The Elks building is in Kennewick on South Colorado Street, off Clearwater Avenue.