Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 21, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Announces “Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession” to Commemorate One-Year Anniversary

OLYMPIA – Aug. 21, 2002 – Gov. Gary Locke today announced plans to commemorate last year’s Sept. 11 terrorist attacks – the “Washington State September 11 Memorial & Procession” in Seattle.

The statewide memorial will begin at noon at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and will include the governor, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Ron Sims, religious leaders, rescue workers, choral groups and others.

After a statewide moment of silence, the governor will lead the memorial service honoring “everyday heroes,” a tribute to people who make a profound difference in their communities – from firefighters, police officers and emergency services workers to volunteers at non-profit organizations, community groups and countless others.

“Our state and nation were stunned by the tragic events of September 11, yet we were also inspired by the rescue workers and others who became heroes that day,” Locke said. “Now, one year later, those enduring images of strength and courage remain with us. Our statewide commemoration on September 11 will pay tribute to our everyday heroes – those who keep us safe and so many others who help us build strong communities.”

Following the memorial, Locke, Nickels and Sims will lead a one-mile procession down Fourth Avenue to Seattle Center’s “Community Reflection” event at the International Fountain. The procession will feature an “everyday hero” from each of Washington’s 39 counties who will carry his or her county flag in the procession.

The state is working closely with the City of Seattle to plan and orchestrate the memorial and procession.

“We will honor people we lost that day and the heroes we found – in our emergency services, our armed forces, and throughout our community,” Nickels said. “September 11 wounded our nation and shocked our city, but that terrible day reminded us how much we value our freedoms and our unity.”

The procession will seamlessly connect to several observances planned for Seattle Center. As part of the city’s “Community Reflection,” the International Fountain will, once again, be the focal point for the community to gather and reflect on the events of the last year and renew hope for the future. This year, from dawn to dusk, the fountain will be lit with candles as an expression of remembrance and eternal hope. In addition, compost from the flowers deposited at the vigil last year will be used to create a memorial garden at Seattle Center. Individual samples of the compost will be distributed along with a flower bulb as a symbol of growth for the future.

Last year, more than 25,000 people attended the governor’s Washington State Day of Prayer and Remembrance at Westlake Center on Sept. 14.

The governor also announced today that his office is collecting a list of all city- and county-sponsored Sept. 11 observances and will post them soon on the governor’s Web site – www.governor.wa.gov – to give citizens an opportunity to observe this important day in their own communities. The City of Seattle is also compiling a list of city events, which can be found at www.cityofseattle.net.

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