City leaders will gather at Delaney Plaza before the annual Memorial Stair Climb honoring the 343 firefighters killed at the World Trade Center.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Events Center) — Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and other city leaders will gather Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with an expanded memorial ceremony at a new location.
This year’s ceremony will be held at Delaney Plaza along Stadium Way, immediately before the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
City officials say holding the two events together will create a larger opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance.
“Having these 2 meaningful events in the same location will bring more people together to honor and remember all those whose lives were forever changed on 9/11,” Special Events Director Kyndra Brewer said. “This is an opportunity for us to broaden our circle of remembrance and to reflect together as a community.”
The ceremony will begin with music around 8:30 a.m., followed by an official welcome from Knoxville Police Department Chaplain Pam Neal at 8:42 a.m.
At 8:46 a.m., the ceremony will pause for a moment of silence. Bells will toll at the same time to mark the moment hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
The ceremony will feature a formal flag procession down Jackson Avenue, bagpipes and music from the All Souls Choir.
Knoxville Fire Department Chaplain Paul Trumpore will deliver the benediction.
Following the memorial ceremony, participants will move inside the stadium for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
The annual climb honors the 343 firefighters who died while responding to the attacks at the World Trade Center 25 years ago.
The events are designed to remember those who lost their lives, recognize the sacrifices of first responders and reflect on the lasting impact of Sept. 11, 2001.
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