Kennewick firefighters to post honor guard, ring bell Monday at 9/11 memorial

While Kennewick city officials did not plan a formal program this year to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, union firefighters have decided to step in and post an honor guard at the memorial in the Southridge Sports and Events Complex.

The honor guard watch at the 9/11 memorial will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, with firefighters ringing a fire bell every half hour. The ringing is to recognize the 411 emergency workers who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

A twisted piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York City was trucked to the Tri-Cities and installed by Lampson International at the Southridge complex in 2011. The metal is topped with the U.S. flag.

A Facebook post over the weekend from the city of Kennewick said city staff and elected officials will pay their respects at the memorial throughout the day, and invited the public to join them at the “community treasure.”

“It proudly stands for us to all pay our respects on 9/11 and throughout the year,” the Facebook post said.

The city reportedly is planning a big event for the 20th anniversary in 2021.

Also Monday morning, Kennewick police, the Fraternal Order of Police and other local emergency responders will hold their annual 9/11 Unity Run. The run starts at 8:30 a.m. and begins at the Kennewick Police Department, covering the 5.5 miles to the sports complex.

This story was originally published September 10, 2017 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Kennewick firefighters to post honor guard, ring bell Monday at 9/11 memorial."