Journal Sentinel staff remember September 11
Journal Sentinel contributors Rick Wood and Jim Nelson discuss their experiences in New York and Washington DC on September 11, 2001.
Bill Schulz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
You may notice that flags are flying at half-staff in Wisconsin on Wednesday.
The gesture, ordered by Governor Tony Evers, is a reminder of 9/11 and the thousands of people who died in the terrorist attacks in 2001. Here’s everything you need to know about the flags at half-staff and how you can participate in 9/11 remembrance events across Milwaukee:
Why are flags flying at half-mast in Wisconsin on Wednesday?
Like the rest of the country, flags in Wisconsin will fly at half-mast on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
On this day in 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed when al-Qaeda hijackers took control of four commercial airliners, flying two of the planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania.
In addition to lowering flags that day, Evers has declared Wednesday a statewide Day of Service and Remembrance “to encourage all Wisconsin residents to commit to service and give back to local neighbors and communities to honor the lives lost 23 years ago,” according to the governor’s office. “Each year on this day, we remember the thousands of people who lost their lives, pay tribute to the first responders, neighbors and volunteers who responded bravely and at great personal sacrifice, among many others, and honor the countless others whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy,” Evers said in a press release. “I encourage Wisconsin residents to join in honoring this solemn day through service, whether by finding ways to give back to our local communities or even through simple acts of kindness toward others.”
9/11 memorial events in Milwaukee
For possible volunteer opportunities on Wednesday and beyond, the governor’s office suggested visiting the Volunteer Wisconsin website. You can filter posts to find volunteer opportunities closest to your interests, which can be virtual or in person, to name a few.
The Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Office is also hosting several memorial events on Wednesday. From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., volunteers are invited to help clean the headstones and grounds at Wood National Cemetery, 5000 W. National Ave. More information about the event can be found here. To participate, you can register here.
The volunteer cleanup will be followed by a memorial service honoring seven local veterans, all buried at Wood National Cemetery, who died in the post-9/11 wars in Iran and Afghanistan. The memorial service will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at Unity Chapel, 5000 W. National Ave.
More: Wisconsin lost 136 men and women in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here are all of their names.
How long will the flags fly at half-mast?
From sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, flags will fly at half-mast.
Where are the flags flown at half-mast?
Under Evers’ order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff on all Wisconsin state buildings, grounds and military installations.
Why are the flags flying at half-mast?
U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff following national tragedies or the death of government officials, military personnel, or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national observances, such as September 11.
“The flag of the United States shall fly at half-staff during a state or national mourning,” says USA.gov. “The President, the Governor of a State, or the Mayor of the District of Columbia may order flags to fly at half-staff.”
