Exchange Club Remembers 9/11

The terrorist attacks that killed 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001, united a nation in shock and grief.

On the 10th anniversary of the event, 80-year-old Korean War veteran and Danville resident Phil Lindner wants people to come together in patriotism and remembrance.

“We never want to forget this,” he said. “It’s like Pearl Harbor. We keep the memory alive by coming together every year.”

A local celebration

This upcoming Sept. 11, Lindner is helping the Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley organize a 9/11 remembrance ceremony and picnic at the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park, 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville.

“This is going to bring a lot of people together,” he said.

The Sept. 11 remembrance event begins at 5:50 p.m. and should last about an hour. Anyone is invited to join the American-style picnic, with free hot dogs and ice cream.

Organizers booked a line-up of prominent speakers, including retired Rear Adm. Winston Copeland, a decorated Navy squadron commander, and 9/11 survivor Joe Viscuglia.

The ceremony will include hundreds of Boy Scouts, local police and fire department honor guards and pipe and drum corps, a bagpiper, a flight of doves and a musical performance by renowned tenor George Komsky, to name some highlights.

Essay contest

Students who attend the event can sign up for an essay contest to win cash prizes. The essay title is "9/11 Lessons for Future Generations." Prizes for high schoolers are $500, $300 and $200 for first, second and third place. For middle schoolers, that's $300, $200 and $100. And for grade schoolers, $150, $100 and $50.

Students can pick up contest forms and instructions at the event. They will also be available online srvexchangeclub.org.