Kent State East Liverpool to host Community Remembrance event
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EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Kent State University East Liverpool Campus will be hosting a Community Remembrance Event at the campus located at 400 E. Fourth St. on Sept. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. to recognize the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honor local first responders.
Academics Vice Dean Sarah Andreas said the university loves the community, but they were realizing that a lot of the students weren't alive when 9/11 happened. So the university wanted to do something for the students but also involve the community as well.
A committee was formed by Debbie Riggs, Kristin Balsley-Watson, Tara Murphy and Andreas to plan the event. The committee decided to hold it on Thursday evening since students typically are not on the campus Friday. Thursday allows the students to be able to help but also remind the community of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Andreas said large prints of the sequence of events that took place on 9/11 will be on display so people can remind themselves what happened.
"The thing about 9/11 that really stands out to me is how communities really came together and we want to do that again. So we invited everybody from the community and it will all be free," Andreas said.
There will be free hot dogs and snacks, demonstrations from the university's allied health groups including blood pressure, education on strength by occupational therapy, physical therapy, face painting for the youth, music, and touch a truck as long as there are no emergencies in the community at the time.
There will be remembrance pins to be presented to first responders from the community.
"We are really grateful for our first responders," Andreas said. "It's just an opportunity to remember 9/11 and also an opportunity to recognize the people in our community who make our community good and we are excited about it."
The event will also feature a blood drive by the American Red Cross from 1 to 6 p.m., first responder recognition, interactive demonstrations, community organizations and family friendly activities.
The Never Forget Community Remembrance-Remembering the Past, Honoring our Heroes and Strengthening our Community event is a time to join together to honor the memory of Sept. 11, recognize the service and sacrifice of the community's first responders and bring the community together through remembrance, education, and community engagement, Balsley-Watson said.