Belleville, Illinois – The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey authorized delivery to the City of Belleville, Illinois a September 11, 2001 World Trade Center artifact. The City took possession of the 35.25 foot long steel column weighing approximately 7,100 lbs for the creation of the September 11th Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois which will be located at Belleville’s Fire Department Administration Office, Illinois Rt. 159 & Illinois Rt. 15.

September 11, 2016 marks the 15th Anniversary of the fateful day we now refer to as 9/11. The Committee to Construct the September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois will host two events on 9/11/2016. The first event is the 5th Annual September 11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk. This 5K begins at 9:11am at Hough Park in Belleville, which also serves as the ending point. Proceeds benefit the construction of the September 11 Memorial Walkway. For more information, or to register online, visit wtcmemorial.us.

The second event, co-hosted by the City of Belleville, is the Moment of Remembrance and Dedication Ceremony, which begins at 2:00pm at the Fire Administration Building at 1125 S. Illinois Street. The public is invited to attend this ceremony to honor those who perished 15 years ago on 9/11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93. The guest speaker will be Colonel Laura L. Lenderman, Installation Commander, Scott Air Force Base, Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing. The ceremony will include the dedication of Phase 1 of the September 11 Memorial Walkway featuring an actual column from the fallen World Trade Center. Parking is available at The Elks Lodge, 1481 S. Illinois St, Belleville where complimentary shuttles will provide transportation to the ceremony site.

THE MISSION of the September 11, 2001 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois is to bear solemn witness to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and to memorialize the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks, including all those who risked their lives to save others. It further recognizes the thousands who survived and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath. The Memorial Walkway Timeline will tell the story of what happened on 9/11, including events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93.

Support the Memorial Walkway with your tax deductible donation. All proceeds benefit the Memorial. The September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois is a sub committee of the Belleville Cultural Enrichment Organization (BECO), an Illinois 501 (c) 3, Not-for-Profit Corporation. You can help to complete the September 11 Memorial Walkway with your tax deductible donation. Contribute today to help complete a lasting place of remembrance, reflection, and learning for years to come. Donate Now to September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois, P. O. Box 7913, Belleville, IL 62222. For more information on the September 11 Memorial Walkway of Southern Illinois, visit www.wtcmemorial.us or call (618) 233-6518, x1245.