News Release

WARSAW — A Patriot Day Ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the 9/11 Memorial located at Central Park, 117 E. Canal St., in front of the Zimmer-Biomet Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw.

U.S. Army/”Iraqi Freedom” veteran and Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith will be the featured speaker.

As in the past, fire departments, police and EMS from around the county have been asked to display emergency vehicles and attend the ceremony. Patriot Guard Riders will provide a flag display. Mike Cox, chairman of the Kosciusko 9/11 Committee, will provide opening remarks. Bryce Lippe will sing the national anthem; Ed Rock will sing “God Bless the USA”; Scout Troop 715 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance; and local law enforcement and firefighters will post the colors.

Ken Locke of The Salvation Army will say a closing prayer, followed by a moment of silence and the ringing of the bell, a traditional closing for firefighter memorial services.

Sept. 11 was designated as Patriot Day by Congress just months after terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people, including 343 firefighters and 72 law enforcement personnel.

“This is the 23rd annual event that we have held since 2002,” said Mike Cox, chairman of the Kosciusko 9/11 Committee. “We made a commitment to ‘Never Forget,’ remembering each year those who died on that fateful day in 2001 and honor the law, fire and emergency personnel who serve us 24/7 in our communities.”

A special event is being planned for 2026 on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to bring their own chairs. For more information go to: Facebook: Kosciusko 9-11 Committee