Whether you were at work, school, home or in the car, if you were alive on Sept. 11, 2001, you'll always remember where you were when the announcement came about the terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
For a generation of Americans, that day is likened to Dec. 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked or Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated - emotional days past generations never forgot.
Organizers of Missouri Patriot Day hope to remind those who lived through those dark days 20 years ago - and to show the young people who didn't - the enormity of the tragedy that occurred and how the after affects continue to leave a mark on this country.
"Many students don't know what happened that day so it's only right to commemorate that day," Patriot Day Chairman Steve Cearlock said.
Cearlock remembers where he was on 911, working for the Missouri Department of Transportation at the time.
"I remember all of a sudden, everyone disappeared," Cearlock said. "I looked around the building and found everybody was in one room where there was a TV, and they were watching the attacks. I came in when the second plane hit, and from then on, everybody's day was lost. There was no production after that. Everyone was flabbergasted."
Planning for this multi-day anniversary event has been going on for more than a year with more than 30 people representing state and city governments agencies, veterans organizations and first responders on the Patriot Day Committee.
"We tried to think of every aspect we could," Cearlock said.
The first event takes place Wednesday evening. A 40-foot semi trailer with the names of all the victims of 911 will leave from the Fire Fighters Memorial in Kingdom City at around 6:30 p.m. Cearlock said they hoped people would line the truck's route down westbound U.S. 54 with American flags and banners. He estimated they would get to Jefferson City around 7 p.m., coming up Main Street and ending at the state Capitol.
The charity, World Memorial, is bringing the truck to Missouri from San Diego. The goal is to honor the fallen and support their families. Inside the truck is a 720-pound piece of the south tower of the World Trade Center, which will be available to view later in the week.
Cearlock said people could take pictures of the truck Wednesday evening, and then it would be moved to get ready for events Friday and Saturday.
Events scheduled Friday will take place on the south lawn of the Capitol starting at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Joe Torrillo, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant who was found alive after missing and presumed dead for three days in the rubble of the Trade Center. There will also be the reading by local high school students of the 2,977 names of those who lost their lives on 9/11.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk will start at 8:30 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol. Members of the public will run or walk the streets of downtown Jefferson City with first responders, veterans and active military service personnel, some of whom will run or walk in their gear.
"The Jefferson City Fire Department is the reigning winner of the 5K," Cearlock noted.
At 10:30 a.m., the Jefferson City Veterans Council will have a re-dedication of the Veterans Plaza at the Jefferson City Police Department.
Then at noon Saturday, the Patriot Day Parade will start at the corner of Broadway and High streets. Organizers said the parade will be a solemn event featuring first responders, military and veteran units. They encourage bands to participate by playing patriotic music and welcome floats showing a patriotic theme.
If anyone wants to submit an entry into the parade they should use this website: 11missouripatriotsdayparade.splashthat.com.
Cearlock said there is a $15 minimum donation for each entry. Also, for the organization that raises the most money for Missouri Patriot Day 2021, they will receive a handmade wooden American flag trophy. After expenses, the money raised will be donated to American Legion Riders Legacy Ride and Safety Net of Missouri.
Also Saturday, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety will conduct its 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at 1 p.m. at the Jefferson State Office Building. The stair climb participants will be part of the parade before stopping at the Jefferson Building to start the stair climb.
The Fire Fighters Association BBQ Team and Ladies Auxiliary will be serving pulled pork sandwiches and nachos starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Sellinger Center. The Sellinger Center is located across from the Capitol on Broadway. The cost is $10 per serving and that includes the sandwich, nachos, soda and chips. All proceeds go to the Fire Fighters Museum in Kingdom City.
"We've had a lot of community members who without their help we couldn't put all this together," Cearlock said. "There were so many different facets to address, but we all felt this needed to be done."
To keep up with planned Patriot Day events, visit facebook.com/mopatriots.