Local events to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the twin tower terror attacks on 9/11 will take place Sunday on Patriot Day.
The city of Akron, along with the Love Akron Network and FirstEnergy Foundation, will commemorate the day and honor those who serve in local safety forces during its Patriot Day 2016 family-friendly event from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lock 3, 200 Main St.
The free event will include food, activities, touch-a-truck opportunities and more.
A special half-hour remembrance program will begin at 1:30 p.m., featuring Kent State University Executive Director of Media Relations Eric Mansfield as master of ceremonies.
The program will feature the Akron Public Schools Color Guard for a flag ceremony as well as DeAngelo Graham, a singer from Akron, performing the national anthem and the Weathervane Playhouse choir singing patriotic songs.
Mansfield will speak about his 20-year military career with the Ohio Army National Guard, and then the Rev. Joe Schoblocher will give recognition to the fallen from Sept. 11 and offer community prayers.
Summit County safety vehicles will line Main Street throughout the afternoon as people have a chance to check out the inflatables and displays after the program.
Wadsworth will hold its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony during the Wadsworth Props and Pistons Festival at noon Sunday at Wadsworth Municipal Airport, 840 Airport Drive.
Ravenna native Edward Paulus will be awarded a Purple Heart and several other military decorations.
Paulus was wounded by an enemy shell in 1967 during the Vietnam War, earning the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and other honors.
The Ohio Veterans’ Memorial Park partnered with the festival to honor police, fire, emergency medical services and military personnel during their annual 3095 Hero Ride, where they will all ride from the park to the Wadsworth Air Show and salute first responders.
The Wadsworth Props and Pistons Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and features a car show, an air show, live music, fireworks and more.
For a full schedule of the Props and Pistons Festival, visit http://wadsworthairshow.wixsite.com/wpapf or call 330-307-7677.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom.
