Chattanooga-area residents looking to commemorate the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have several options in this 21st anniversary year.
THROUGH MONDAY
– Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, has 2,977 small American flags fluttering on its front lawn.
"We put out a flag for each person who died on 9/11," Barry W. Miller, managing partner, said in a phone interview.
Now in its second year, the observance was borrowed from a similar commemoration at a funeral home in Nashville, where Miller was previously based.
He said the public response has been "all positive."
"We've had people stop and take pictures. A lot of people (Wednesday) morning, when the (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) ROTC program was putting out the flags, they'd go by and honk and wave."
The flags will remain in place through Monday. For more information, call 423-877-3524.
FRIDAY
– National Day of Service and Remembrance is a volunteer effort by Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that provides Americans with active ways to honor those who serve or have served the country.
Friday's observance calls upon volunteers to "beautify the grounds of our fallen heroes" in 65 national cemeteries across the nation, including Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.
"We usually have them clean headstones," Bill Sachse, administrative officer for the cemetery, said in a phone interview.
The effort starts at 10 a.m. You must register at carrytheload.org/patriot-day to take part.
SUNDAY
– Patriot Day Remembrance & Ride starts with a memorial service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday at White Lightning Harley-Davidson, 7722 Lee Highway.
Six moments of silence will be observed to represent the times when the horrific events of the day unfolded: 8:46 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's north tower in New York City; 9:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower; 9:37 a.m., when American Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; 9:59 a.m., when the south tower collapsed; 10:03 a.m., when United Flight 93 crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and 10:28 a.m., when the north tower collapsed.
An escorted ride will then proceed to Mission BBQ, "where they're also having a pretty big Patriot Day event," Marcus Kilgore, the dealership's marketing manager, said in a phone interview.
"We very much want to remember and honor the people we lost that day and pay tribute to the first responders," Kilgore said, adding that 200 riders turned out for the inaugural event last year, but the "iffy weather" -- a 60% chance of rain Sunday -- may decrease the turnout this year.
Participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Forgotten Child Fund.
For more information, call 423-892-4888.
– Patriot Day events at Mission BBQ, 1926 Gunbarrel Road, include more than the terminus of the motorcycle ride. The restaurant also will host a Jeep club, three Chattanooga fire trucks (including one painted pink) and Collegedale's SWAT team vehicle, operating partner Jimmy Perez said by phone.
The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Sunday, and the national anthem will be sung by a Chattanooga fire chief at noon, followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, a 21-gun salute in the parking lot, a flag ceremony and the reveal of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle honoring first responders. All first responders eat for free. For more information, call 423-933-3098.
– Chattanooga Market will observe Patriot Day 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. In an email, Melissa Lail, assistant executive director, said market organizers "don't have any special plans" other than to make visitors mindful of the day. Admission is free to peruse the arts, crafts and produce vendor booths. Musicians Eric Jordan and Rick Rushing will entertain. chattanoogamarket.com
SUNDAY AND MONDAY
– 9/11: A Day of Remembrance, organized by the Scenic City Women's Network, took place Sept. 1 at the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center, but the events were filmed for broadcast by local cable stations.
Retired Brig. Gen. Scott Brower was the keynote speaker. His combat service following the events of 9/11 included the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He helped train the 12 Horsemen, as featured in the movie "12 Strong," for entry into Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He now serves as director of the Bass Military Scholars Program at Vanderbilt University.
The event will air three times Sunday: at 1 p.m. on WFLI-The CW and at 2 and 7 p.m. on the Christian Television Network; and twice Monday: at 12:30 p.m. on ETVC-Fox Chattanooga and at 7 p.m. on CTN.
Learn more at scwn.org.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.