Special Remember Rally, time capsule ceremony scheduled for Sept. 11

The 15-year anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers that killed nearly 3,000 people will be observed locally on Sept. 11 with a special Blue Light Beam Memorial ceremony.
Diane Sherwood, president of the Remember Rally group, approached county officials last month about conducting the lighting ceremony in a public location in Luverne.
County officials approved her request to use the Kahler Terrace at the Courthouse Plaza for the event.
Special lights will be installed on the terrace for the event, sponsored by Remember Rally.
“We are very excited about it,” said Sherwood. “I think it’s going to be very beautiful, very touching.”
At dusk on Sept. 11, two blue beams (representing the Twin Towers) will shine 150-200 feet into the air. Sherwood said the beams are to show honor and respect for those affected by the tragedy our country endured.
A short ceremony will precede the lighting ceremony where a moment of silence will be observed and attendees are invited to stay to contemplate the meaning of what happened on Sept. 11, 2001.
Sherwood said Remember Rally organizers are also working on a community time capsule that will be dedicated on Sept. 11 at a location to be determined.
The time capsule will include photos and information about 9-11 and many items telling the story of Luverne that represent 2016.
The time capsule will be opened in 10 years, on the 25th anniversary of 9-11.
On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four U.S. airplanes and flew two of the passenger jets into the World Trade Center office towers in New York City.
The impacts caused the Twin Towers to catch fire and collapse. Another plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the last plane hit a portion of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Remember Rally is a nonprofit organization that was initially formed to raised funds for the 9-11 rescue workers. The group is expanding its mission by creating a specialized health facility for anyone affected by chemical or toxin exposure.
For more information or to donate to the time capsule, contact Sherwood at 283-4194.