Two ceremonies in McLean and Great Falls on Friday, Sept. 11, will mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed eight local residents.
The Great Falls Freedom Memorial, behind the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike, will hold a remembrance ceremony from 7 to 8 p.m. The memorial honors six Great Falls residents who died aboard American Airlines Flight 77: Richard P. Gabriel Sr., 54; Ann C. Judge, 49; Barbara K. Olson, 45; Lisa J. Raines, 42; Diane M. Simmons; and George W. Simmons, 57.
Two McLean residents also died in the attacks. Mark E. Schurmeier, 44, was killed at the World Trade Center. Lt. Col. Kip P. Taylor, 38, was killed at the Pentagon.
In McLean, the Alden Theatre at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., will screen "Come From Away" at 7 p.m. Friday. The Tony Award-winning musical, filmed live on Broadway, tells the true story of 38 flights grounded in Gander, Newfoundland, after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The screening is free, no registration is required, and free parking is available at the 383-seat theater.
The events are part of seven commemorations across Fairfax County running Thursday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 13, according to Patch.
Fairfax County's main remembrance ceremony begins at 10:10 a.m. Friday at Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Deputy Fire Chief Bill Betz, who responded to the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, will open the ceremony.
Speakers include Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, Fire Chief John Butler, Police Chief Kevin Davis and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, according to the county.
The ceremony will also honor Master Police Officer Donald Gotthardt Jr. and Fire Battalion Chief Michael Tamillow, two Fairfax County public safety members who died from 9/11-related causes. Residents who cannot attend in person can watch a livestream on Fairfax County Government Channel 16.
At least 29 people from Fairfax County communities died in the attacks, according to a list Patch compiled from Naval History and Heritage Command records, the National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum and Fairfax County records.
Other area events
- Thursday, Sept. 10: The Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly hosts "9/11: 25 Years Later" from 8 to 9 p.m. at 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway. First responders and aviation personnel will discuss their experiences at the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport.
- Sunday, Sept. 13: The Northern Virginia 9/11 Heroes Run 5K starts at 8 a.m. at Oakton Elementary School, with an opening ceremony at 7:40 a.m.
- Friday through Friday, Sept. 11-13: The National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir hosts a free 9/11 Honor Walk.
