The Newport News Police Department and Newport News Fire Department have planned a special ceremony to honor, remember and pay tribute to the 3,000 people who lost their lives, including more than 400 first responders, during the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in front of Newport News City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue and will begin at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited. (In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be moved to Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center, 2410 Wickham Avenue.)
Ralph “Bo” Clayton, Newport News Assistant City Manager will be the guest speaker. Clayton retired from the United States Army in 2019 as a Colonel after a 30-year military career. His last assignment was at Joint Base Langley-Eustis as Garrison Commander of Fort Eustis, essentially serving as city manager of the military installation for two years. Clayton’s career also included several deployments to the Middle East, commanding teams across Africa and South America, and extensive experience in strategic communications and special operations. Clayton possesses a bachelor’s degree in biology from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.
“We have planned a very reverent ceremony and look forward to being able to pay our respects to those who lost their lives, the families left behind and those still suffering the after effects of that horrific day, 18 years ago,” said NNPD Assistant Chief, Eric Randall.
The ceremony will begin with the posting of the colors, followed by remarks from speakers, reading of a proclamation by Mayor McKinley Price, the placing of wreaths for the victims at all three sites, tolling of the bell, NNPD Pipes and Drums band, a gun salute and Taps performance by the TRADOC Band.