The annual community observance in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001 is planned for 8:15 AM, Friday, September 11, 2020 at the 9/11 Memorial in the Lejeune Memorial Gardens.
Because of COVID-19, attendance is not encouraged. The observance will be presented virtually via several internet and social media streams and on the Jacksonville-Onslow Government Television Channel. There will be some accommodation for a small number of persons to be in the audience for the event.
Hosted by the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee and the City of Jacksonville and supported by Camp Lejeune, the observance will include participation in the National Moment of Silence at 8:46 AM, a minute after the first impact at the World Trade Center.
Members of the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee will present various tableaus representing those who were killed in the September 11, 2001 events. Local law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and rescue personnel as well as military representatives will represent those who were killed in rescue and in response to the events of 2001.
In case of inclement weather, the observance will move to the Jacksonville City Hall. The observance has been designated as the community’s official observance since 2006 by the Onslow Board of Commissioners.
Components of the Second Marine Division Band, the Jacksonville High School Cardinal String Ensemble, various fire and law enforcement officers and the Jacksonville Youth Council will participate in the observance and remembrance. Law enforcement, fire and rescue vehicles will participate in a chorus of sirens that will break the moment of silence.
The Onslow Civic Affairs Committee was formed to advance Civic Education in Onslow County. The group was formed by the Onslow County Board of Commissioners in a cooperative agreement with the City of Jacksonville which dissolved the model Jacksonville Civic Affairs Committee. Members are also charged with completing an annual index which rates the civic infrastructure of our community and advancing cooperative and collaborative efforts to improve our community. The group is a sponsor of the Nonprofit Executives Roundtable and the Annual Board Training and Development Day as well as the Sturgeon City Institutes.
Patriot Day was first declared by President George W. Bush as the official observance for the events of September 11, 2001.