Columbus area events to commemorate 20th anniversary of Sept. 11

With the last of the American troops leaving Afghanistan last week, the 20-year war in Afghanistan is over.

The news of the withdrawal comes as the U.S. prepares to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the episode that started the war: the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and aboard United Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

To honor the nearly 3,000 people who died on that day in 2001, Columbus and several of its suburbs will hold ceremonies and events to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Columbus

h 9/11 Memorial Flags 20th Anniversary 4 p.m. Sept. 9 to noon Sept. 13. at the Ohio Statehouse. The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a memorial flag display on the west lawn of the Statehouse. A short program will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 9 on the West Plaza of the Statehouse. After the program, volunteers will install the 2,977 flags that comprise the memorial.

h 9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony, 9 a.m. Sept. 11. The event, hosted by the city of Columbus, will be held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St.

h “The Twenty-year War” book launch, 6 p.m. Sept. 11, National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Celebrate the release of “The Twenty-year War,” a photo book by photographer Beau Simmons and Army Rangers Dan Blakeley and Tom Amenta. The book details the experiences of 71 veterans who served in the “war on terror.” The authors will sign books, which will be available for purchase, before and after the panel discussion. Tickets are $45 per person.

Groveport

h 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, 8:45 a.m. Sept. 11, Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Road. The Madison Township Fire Department will host the event, which will feature four guest speakers who were at Ground Zero in New York City.

Hilliard

h 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony,1 p.m., Sept. 10, First Responders Park, 5323 Center St. The Transportation Security Administration will present the Ohio Federal Security Director’s Patriot Award to 24 military, law enforcement, security and emergency service servants from across Ohio. Maj. Gen. John Harris, the commander of the Ohio National Guard, will give the keynote address.

h First Responders Park tour, 8-11 a.m. Sept. 11. Hilliard police officers and Norwich Township firefighters will serve as park guides, providing information to visitors about World Trade Center artifacts that are housed in the park.

Marysville

h 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, 9:50 a.m. Sept. 11, Marysville Fire Department, 16300 County Home Rd. The Marysville community will commemorate the events of 9/11 and three new lieutenants will be sworn into the fire department afterward.

Obetz

h Columbus 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, 9 a.m., Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail. Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m. Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter, police officer, or EMS workers by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.

Westerville

h 9/11 Observance, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, First Responders Park, 374 W. Main St. The city of Westerville will have a special observance in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 both days.

Worthington

h 9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance, 8:46 a.m. Sept. 11, Worthington Village Green at the intersection of N. High Street and Dublin Granville Road. The event will commemorate the exact time the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Organized by Leasure-blackston American Legion Post 239, it will feature speakers, music and remembrances. mwalker@dispatch.com @micah_walker701

MATTHEW BERRY/EAGLE-GAZETTE The Remembrance Ceremony at the Motts Military Museum will host four guest speakers who were at Ground Zero in New York City.