9-11, A Commemoration in Words and Music will be held on Thursday, September 11, from 12 noon to 1 pm at St. Bernard's Church, at Broadway and University Avenues. The City of Akron and the Greater Akron Remembrance Coalition are sponsoring the event.

The focus of the commemoration will be three-fold: to remember the events and victims of September 11th; to honor those who dedicate their lives in service to others including soldiers and domestic safety forces; and to express the community’s unity and hope for the future.

The Summit Choral Society under the direction of Frank C. Jacobs will perform music. The Summit Society's Masterworks Chorale, Summit Children's Choir Program Advanced Ensemble and soloist Leslie Parker-Barnes will be featured during the program.

A variety of readings will be featured during the observance including passages from the Bible and the Koran; inspirational speeches by Abraham Lincoln, General Douglas McArthur, and Martin Luther King, Jr.; a poem written and read by 14-year-old Mogadore resident Christine Morrison, and a dramatic reading of personal accounts written by individuals who lived through and witnessed the horrific events of September 11th, 2001.

St. Bernard's Pastor Fr. Paul Schindler will host the event. Individuals scheduled to read during the commemoration include Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, University of Akron President Dr. Luis Proenza, WAKR morning host Ray Horner, WKYC reporter Monica Robbins, Akron Police Chief Michael Matulavich, retired Akron Fire Chief Tom Alexander, Akron Municipal Judge Carla Moore, International Institute Executive Director Maxine Floreani, Akron Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sylvester Small, Lisa Mansfield, wife of TV23 anchorman Eric Mansfield, who is currently on assignment in the Iraqi conflict, and Akron Beacon Journal columnist David Giffels.

The Greater Akron Remembrance Coalition was formed in 2002 to produce the area's September 11th commemorations, and earlier this year presented the Korean War Commemoration Ceremony. Founding members include the City of Akron, the University of Akron, the United Way of Summit County, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross - Summit County Chapter, the Downtown Akron Partnership, The Akron Beacon Journal, FirstMerit Bank, and WAKR/WONE/WQMX.

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