09/06/11 As The 10th Anniversary Of The 9/11 Attacks Approaches, Many Town Organizations Are Planning Events To Mark The Somber Occasion (Updated)

On Friday evening, the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company will dedicate a memorial to local victims of the terrorist attacks. The fire department is the recent recipient of an 8-foot section of I-beam from the former World Trade Center site.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place at 6 p.m. in front of the firehouse, at 266 Glenville Road.

The Police Department's honor guard will participate in the dedication ceremony.

The volunteer fire company has been working with the Greenwich chapter of the American Red Cross to invite families of local victims of the attacks to the tribute. For more information, call 203-910-4479 or email cathleen.ragone@vitas.com.

The town's official tribute will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in front of Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road. The event will honor the memory of those lost on 9/11, especially the 23 Greenwich residents who died, the victims at the Pentagon and those aboard United Airlines Flight 93. There will be a presentation of a wreath and flowers, a 21-gun salute and special tributes to remember the sacrifices made by the first responders who died. For more information, call 203-253-2836.

Greenwich Hospital will hold a ceremony at 3 p.m. Monday to honor those who died and pay tribute to its hospital staff during that time. The ceremony will be held near the 9/11 memorial sculpture in the hospital's Carl and Dorothy Bennett Community Garden, with keynote speaker Silas Seandel, the sculptor. Seandel, who witnessed the attacks from his studio near ground zero, will explain how his impressions of that day influenced his work.

The sculpture rests in the southwest corner of the garden, directly in line with where the twin towers stood. The garden is near the Watson Pavilion on the main campus at 5 Perryridge Road.

Some local organizations are conducting charity drives to mark the anniversary. Greenwich High School is responding to President Barack Obama's call for a day of remembrance and service with a one-month food drive for Neighbor to Neighbor, donating one food item for each death on 9/11.

On Sunday, Operation Support Our Troops will conduct a care package drive for overseas troops from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Stop & Shop, 161 W. Putnam Ave. Wish list flyers will be handed out when entering the store. The goal is to collect money and supplies for 2,000 Christmas boxes. For information, visit www.carepackagedrive.com.

Town churches will also mark the anniversary.

Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Road, will conduct a service of remembrance at 10 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Douglas Miller will present the sermon "A Mighty Fortress" and the service will include music by David Glukh on trumpet, with soprano Risa Renae Harman. The congregation's traditional Rally Day Picnic will follow at 11 a.m., and the public is welcome.

Second Congregational Church, 139 E. Putnam Ave., will have a 9/11 remembrance as part of the church's annual homecoming weekend. The Rev. Holly Adams will deliver the sermon during the 10:30 a.m. service, followed by a barbecue luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Reservations for the luncheon are encouraged. For reservations and further information, contact Gloria LaDestro at 203-869-9311, ext. 120, or gloria@2cc.org.

UPDATE:

MORE 9/11 OBSERVANCES IN GREENWICH:

Friday

The sixth annual Greenwich Harbor Yacht Showcase will dock Sept. 9 to 11 at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor hotel, located at 500 Steamboat Road. Visitors can catch the first look at the yachts from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at a kick-off preview party to benefit Audubon Greenwich and its conservation efforts in Long Island Sound. Admission is $75 per person and includes entertainment, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. The showcase continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 10 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at no charge. The showcase will feature complimentary family activities, and land exhibits ranging from fall fashion to a $2 million 1963 Corvette Rondine Concept Car. For more informaion, call 203-531-3047 or visit www.thedelamar.com.

Sunday

The inaugural first responders BBQ Benefit and Touch a Truck event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Greenwich Polo Club, located on Hurlingham Drive. A polo match will follow. Tickets ($50 adults, $20 children 6 to 12) can be purchased at the Greenwich Police Department, Greenwich Fire Department, GEMS headquarters, or Corbo’s Corner Deli. The proceeds are to benefit the Greenwich police and fire departments and Greenwich Emergency Services. The event will be held rain or shine. Limited tickets are available at the door.

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