Sept. 11 Candlelight Ceremony, Service at Resurrection

Joining cities and towns across the country, Clinton Township will mark the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11 with a special program to remember those who perished in the 9/11 attacks and the men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the war on terror since.

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Clinton Township has observed Patriot Day annually since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001. Its 2012 ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Veteran’s Memorial in Resurrection Cemetery.

The program will feature speakers representing the nation’s armed forces, music and a candlelight ceremony.

“Events like the 9-11 Patriot Day Commemoration help define the values and spirit of our residents and community,” said township Supervisor Robert Cannon, in a prepared statement. “At the same time, no taxpayer monies are used to fund events like this in the township.”

The principal speakers of this year’s event are Army Major Anthony Leach and township firefighter and chief warrant officer Peter J. Bailey of the Michigan National Guard. Both will share their experiences at home and overseas since the war on terror began. 

Cannon will officiate at the event, with members of the Board of Trustees and township police and fire/rescue departments also in attendance.

The gathering music will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the presentations at 7 p.m. The ceremony will conclude by 8:30 p.m.

All members of the community are invited to attend and set up their lawn chairs and blankets near the Veteran’s Memorial, which is located in the southern portion of the cemetery at 18201 Clinton River Road between Garfield and Romeo Plank roads.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Most Holy Trinity Mausoleum on the grounds of the cemetery.

Program

• Police Honor Guard opens the ceremony
• Welcome to visitors by Robert Schrage, director of Resurrection Cemetery
• Vietnam veteran Lorenzo Garrisi offers the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Speakers Bailey and Leach share their experiences with the war on terror
• Candlelight ceremony and remarks by Cannon
• Police Honor Guard closes the ceremony

Speakers

Army Major Anthony Leach

Major Leach’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medals, and Armed Forces Expeditionary and Service Medals.

Peter J. Bailey

Bailey joined the Clinton Township Fire Department in 1994 and also serves as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Michigan National Guard. He served as a Chinook helicopter pilot in Iraq in 2004-05 and a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in 20-2011.