Remember Patriots Day: 9/11

It seems that a lot of things come in groups of 10, and in this instance, Sept. 11, 2011, will be the 10th anniversary of the infamous 9/11.

I was invited to attend an affair to honor all veterans and first-responders to be held this Sunday, Sept. 11, at the First Baptist Church of Villa Ridge, which is located at 51 Highway M in Villa Ridge, MO. It's on the northwest corner of highways M and AT.  There is no admission charge. The time is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Patch readers are invited to attend, too.

Exhibitors and volunteer groups will be present in the auditorium from all branches of the service:  American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Franklin County Honor Flight, Wounded Warriors, Daughters of the American Revolution, and several others.

Also present will be first responders, including fire fighters, police, sheriff, paramedics, and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers.

You'll have the opportunity to take a ride in a WWII Half-Track and see antique and modern fire equipment, a medivac helicopter, a Civil War re-enactment, military weapons and vehicles.  (You might even get to see a Blackhawk helicopter and hot air balloon.)

The opening ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. There will be various speakers and entertainment. Food sales begin at 12:30 p.m. 

Patch editors were asked to contribute local 9/11 activities to be circulated among the nearly 1,000 local Patch outlets across America, and locally we will recognize and remember that day in this manner. 

We wish the church good weather for the affair, and thank them for their efforts.