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From bagpipes to candlelight, Austin plans for Sept. 11

By Jonathan Osborne
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, August 6, 2002

What started as Austin's modest way to remember and honor the victims of Sept. 11 on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks is quickly turning into a statewide event that could draw tens of thousands to the city.

"It's mushrooming," said J.R. Gonzales, a private consultant who is organizing the daylong series of ceremonies. "At this point, it's very hard for us to gauge the size of it. As each day goes by, the event seems to be getting bigger and bigger."

The day will begin with a bagpipe ceremony on the banks of Town Lake at 7:46 a.m., the same time the first airplane struck the World Trade Center. The events will culminate about 8 p.m. with a silent procession down Congress Avenue to the South steps of the Capitol, where the public is invited to participate in a candlelight vigil.

"It's going to be a solemn procession, not necessarily a parade," Gonzales said. "We're going to be inviting every police department, every fire department and every EMS station in the state to send representatives to participate in that reception."

Already, Gonzales said, his group, the 9/11 USA Project, has received several commitments from law enforcement agencies and firefighters associations from as far away as Dallas.

The ceremonies will be somber at times, he said. But the events are designed to be uplifting, as well.

"It's a time to reflect and remember what we've lost, but it's also a day to remember that we are Americans," he said. "September 11, 2001, did not defeat us. It brought us together as a nation. We want to keep that spirit alive."

The idea for the procession and vigil originated from the Travis County Sheriffs' Law Enforcement Association. But other governmental agencies and businesses, including the City of Austin, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Army, quickly signed on as partners.

Gonzales said about $17,000 has been raised for the event. Also, the Army is donating about 12,000 U.S. flags that will be handed out along the route of the procession, part of which is tentatively scheduled to be broadcast on national television.

"We're going to talk about that day, but we want people to remember their freedom," said Travis County sheriff's Detective Dale Walls, president of the sheriff's association. "As peace officers and firefighters, we also want to show our support and thanks for how (the public) supported us on that day, too." Several Central Texas families who lost loved ones in the attacks will be honored.

Security will be an issue, both Walls and Gonzales said, but that concern will not hinder the events.

"That's in the back of our mind," Walls said. "We're going to work closely with other agencies around so that we check different venues to make sure they're secure."

All events are free and open to the public. For more information visit the Travis County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Association Web site at www.tcslea.org.

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	From bagpipes to candlelight, Austin plans for Sept. 11 By Jonathan Osborne AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Tuesday, August 6, 2002 What started as Austin's modest way to remember and honor the victims of Sept. 11 on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks is quickly turning into a statewide event that could draw tens of thousands to the city. "It's mushrooming," said J.R. Gonzales, a private consultant who is organizing the daylong series of ceremonies. "At this point, it's very hard for us to gauge the size of it. As each day goes by, the event seems to be getting bigger and bigger." The day will begin with a bagpipe ceremony on the banks of Town Lake at 7:46 a.m., the same time the first airplane struck the World Trade Center. The events will culminate about 8 p.m. with a silent procession down Congress Avenue to the South steps of the Capitol, where the public is invited to participate in a candlelight vigil. "It's going to be a solemn procession, not necessarily a parade," Gonzales said. "We're going to be inviting every police department, every fire department and every EMS station in the state to send representatives to participate in that reception." Already, Gonzales said, his group, the 9/11 USA Project, has received several commitments from law enforcement agencies and firefighters associations from as far away as Dallas. The ceremonies will be somber at times, he said. But the events are designed to be uplifting, as well. "It's a time to reflect and remember what we've lost, but it's also a day to remember that we are Americans," he said. "September 11, 2001, did not defeat us. It brought us together as a nation. We want to keep that spirit alive." The idea for the procession and vigil originated from the Travis County Sheriffs' Law Enforcement Association. But other governmental agencies and businesses, including the City of Austin, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Army, quickly signed on as partners. Gonzales said about $17,000 has been raised for the event. Also, the Army is donating about 12,000 U.S. flags that will be handed out along the route of the procession, part of which is tentatively scheduled to be broadcast on national television. "We're going to talk about that day, but we want people to remember their freedom," said Travis County sheriff's Detective Dale Walls, president of the sheriff's association. "As peace officers and firefighters, we also want to show our support and thanks for how (the public) supported us on that day, too." Several Central Texas families who lost loved ones in the attacks will be honored. Security will be an issue, both Walls and Gonzales said, but that concern will not hinder the events. "That's in the back of our mind," Walls said. "We're going to work closely with other agencies around so that we check different venues to make sure they're secure." All events are free and open to the public. For more information visit the Travis County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Association Web site at www.tcslea.org. ### Return to main news page	See full list of sponsors >>


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