A moment of silence to be observed at the fair in commemoration of 9/11

While the Wayne County Fairgrounds is normally bustling with activity during fair week, silence will fall over the fairgrounds at 1 p.m. Sept. 11, as the fair joins the rest of the county in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

During their August 24 meeting, the Wayne County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution issuing a Proclamation of Silence and Remembrance for the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

According to Wayne County Commissioner Scott Wiggam, the proclamation was made at the request of the Wayne County Fair Board.

Plans call for the fairgrounds to go silent for a moment of reflection and remembrance of the events that changed the world 10 years ago.

After a brief PA announcement, the rides on the midway will stop running and the action at the horse show will temporarily halt as fairgoers silently commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

In reading the text of the resolution, Wiggam noted that issuing the proclamation was an expression of support by the commissioners for a resolution passed by the United States Senate urging citizens to come together as a nation and cease "all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance."

The resolution commemorates the loss of life suffered in New York City when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower moments later as well as the lives lost in Washington, D.C. where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west wall of the Pentagon.

It also speaks of the heroic efforts of the passengers and crew of hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 to retake control of the airplane and prevent further loss of life by crashing the airliner in a field outside Shanksville, Pa.

The resolution refers not only to the loss of nearly 3,000 innocent civilians but also the deaths of more than 400 New York City firefighters and police officers who rushed to the scene that fateful day.

It also recognizes the efforts of "thousands of men and women in the United States Armed Forces (who) remain in harm's way defending the United States."

"(Ten) years later, the people of the United States and people around the world continue to mourn the tremendous loss of innocent life on that fateful day," Wiggam read, adding, "on this 10th anniversary of this tragic day, the thoughts of the people of the United States are with all of the victims of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and their families.

"The lives of Americans were changed forever on Sept. 11, 2001, when events threatened the American way of life," read Wiggam, adding, "Sept. 11 will never, and should never, be just another day in the hearts and minds of all people of the United States."

The resolution concludes by reaffirming that "the people of the United States will never forget the challenges our country endured on and since Sept. 11, 2001, and will work tirelessly to defeat those who attacked the United States."

The commissioners' proclamation commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11 coincides with Patriot Day.

Signed into law by President George W. Bush on Dec. 18, 2001, Patriot Day is observed annually on Sept. 11 as a day for all Americans to remember those who lost their lives by joining in a moment of silence and flying American flags at half-staff.

In 2009, President Barack Obama joined the United States Congress in naming Sept. 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, calling upon Americans to make an enduring commitment to serve their community and nation.