For Immediate Release

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Arlington Remembers 5th Anniversary of 9-11 with Commemorative Ceremony

Arlington, home to the Pentagon, hosts many 9-11 related events

MEDIA PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: On Saturday Sept. 9, the Arlington Fire Department will hang large American flags on bridges at two different roadway entrances to Arlington. Times and locations: 10 a.m. at N. George Mason Drive over I-66 and 11 a.m. at the pedestrian overpass on Route 50 (leading to Thomas Jefferson Community Center).

MEDIA PARKING: For the observance ceremony on Monday Sept. 11, parking for media will be available on N. Courthouse Road (which will be closed to traffic), in front of the Arlington County Justice Center.

ARLINGTON, Va. – On Monday, Sept. 11, Arlington County will pause to remember the lives lost at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor those who responded to the attack. The public is invited to attend a brief observance ceremony that begins at 9:15 a.m. in the courtyard of the Arlington County Justice Center, 1425 N. Courthouse Rd.

Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman hosts the event. The program includes a combined honor guard, the singing of the National Anthem, a moment of silence at 9:37 a.m. and the tolling of a bell 184 times, once for each victim.

TRAFFIC NOTE: A small section of N. Courthouse Rd., between 14th and 15th Streets, will be closed on September 11 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Flags Across Arlington

Also on Monday Sept. 11, the community is encouraged to display American flags in remembrance of 9-11.

Other September 11-related events

Following is a list of events happening in the County and on the Pentagon reservation. More details available at www.arlingtonva.us/arlingtonremembers.

FILM SCREENING: Sept. 7, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Lost Boys of Sudan – Documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees from one of Africa's cruelest civil wars to the abundance and alienation of contemporary American suburbia.

Note: All film screenings are part of the Arlington Libraries’ ongoing Cross-Cultural Cinema series and discussion.

SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT: Sept. 9-10
First Responders Cup – A girls fast pitch tournament bringing together the very best teams from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York City – the areas directly affected by the attacks of September 11. www.eteamz.com/firstresponderscup/

FILM SCREENING: Sept. 9, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Life – Screen and discuss segments from this award-winning video series that tackles globalization and its effect on ordinary people in countries throughout the world.

MEMORIAL 5K: Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
5th Annual Police, Fire & Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K Race – Held in honor of the victims of 9/11, and as a tribute to public safety personnel who responded that day. For details and to sign up, go to www.arlington911race.com.

LECTURE: Sept. 10, 2 p.m.
The Root Causes of Terrorism by Ron Dermer  – This lecture addresses whether a policy promoting democracy in non-democratic states can be effective at combating the terrorist threat currently facing the free world.

FILM SCREENING: Sept. 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Control Room – Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Al-Jazeera, American journalists, and the players at Central Command — the media's vital role in writing history.

CONCERT: Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Remember & Honor: Five Years after September 11 – The Master Chorale of Washington, D.C. and the Arlington Philharmonic. Location: Kenmore Middle School Aud., 200 S. Carlin Springs Rd. www.masterchorale.org

FILM SCREENING: Oct. 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Justice for My People: Dr. Hector P. Garcia Story – Traces the rise of the Mexican American civil rights movement from the 1920s to the 1980s through the ideals, choices and actions of Dr. Hector P. Garcia.

ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

Juried art exhibit – An art exhibit at Central Library commemorates the events of September 11, 2001. The exhibit also celebrates libraries as mainstays of intellectual freedom, democracy, and patriotism.

Special display at Central Library’s Virginia Room - Pictures and letters from school children that were sent to the Arlington County Fire Department after 9/11.

Online photo exhibit – Photos taken by one of the firefighters working at the scene. Watch the County’s web site at www.arlingtonva.us.

Oral history project – In commemoration of the 5^th anniversary of 9/11, Arlington Libraries will seek out fire, police, and educators to share their stories and memories.

NOTE: Many of Arlington’s planned activities are part of “The September Project,” an international effort to gather communities in dialogue on and around September 11, 2006.

OTHER EVENTS AROUND ARLINGTON

Sept. 10: “America Supports You Freedom Walk” from the Capitol Mall to the Pentagon, 7:30 p.m. www.americasupportsyou.mil/freedomwalk

Sept. 10: "Rattle the Runway" with about 2,000 motorcycles touring eastbound I-66 to the Pentagon, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.rattletherunwayride.com

Sept. 11: Pentagon Radio Day – 30 radio stations broadcast live from the Pentagon Center Court, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sept 11: "Tour De Force" bicycle ride, 2 to 2:30 p.m., www.tourdeforceny.com

Go to www.whs.mil for more events around the Pentagon reservation.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.