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Service to be held for fifth anniversary of 9/11

Sept. 5, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Employee groups at Western Michigan University are sponsoring a service at noon Monday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place in Goldsworth Valley near the 9/11 memorial erected by the employee groups in September 2002.

The program for the fifth anniversary service is nearly identical to the Sept. 11, 2002, ceremony at which the employee-purchased 9/11 memorial was officially dedicated. The program again opens with a flag ceremony by the WMU ROTC battalion and Gloria Culp of the Registrar's Office performing "Rowan Tree" on bagpipes. Allison Downey, assistant professor of creative arts education, will reprise "On The Day," a song she wrote immediately following the terrorist attacks.

Representatives of several of the sponsoring employee groups will make remarks. They will be joined by Amanda Grove, president of the Western Student Association and by Gregory Rosine, Senior Vice President for University Advancement and Legislative Affairs. The ceremony will conclude with the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and the laying of personal tokens at the memorial. Those attending are invited to bring a flower, ribbon or other token.

Sponsoring employee groups are the Administrative Professional Association; American Association of University Professors; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO; Michigan State Employee's Association; Police Officer's Association; and Professional Support Staff Organization. Other sponsors include the Bernhard Center, WMU Copy Desk, WMU Department of Military Science and Schafer's Flowers of Kalamazoo.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in Kanley Chapel.

Members of the 9/11 memorial committee are employees Toby Boyle, chair, George Eskro, Kris Kenz and Dori LaChance.

A copy of Downey's "On the Day (September 11, 2001)" can be downloaded free of charge at www.allisondowney.com and can also be found on her "Wind at Your Back" CD, available online and at the WMU Bookstore.

Related story
Granholm asks for 9/11 moment of silence

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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