Mayor Indya Kincannon will observe the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at several events and services across the city on Saturday, including the annual wreath laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial on the lawn of the City County Building at 400 Main St.
Knoxville Police Department Chaplain Pam Neal will welcome everyone at 8:45 a.m. and the ceremony will begin with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. At the same time, First Baptist Church will ring its bells to mark the time hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Kincannon, along with a representative from Knox County government, will present a wreath at the base of the monument, a black granite obelisk made by Randy Vaden and installed in 2003. The ceremony will also include bagpiper Luke DeGhetto, who will play “Amazing Grace.” Chaplain Neal will give the benediction, and Knox County Sheriff’s Office retiree Mike Freels will play “Taps.”
Main Street will be closed to traffic between Walnut and Gay streets and KAT’s free trolleys will cease operation during the ceremony. All traffic should resume no later than 9:15 a.m.
Prior to that event, Kincannon will start her day with brief remarks at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Memorial Stair Climb which begins at 7:50 a.m. at the Sunsphere in World’s Fair Park. Kincannon, along with Knoxville Fire Department Chief Stan Sharp and others, will pay tribute to the 343 firefighters who gave their lives at the World Trade Center 20 years ago. Later in the day, Kincannon will greet and thank first responders from KPD, KFD and other area agencies before they are honored at Neyland Stadium during the UT football game against Pittsburgh. Kickoff is at noon. First responders will be recognized during the second quarter of the game.