(Editor's note: the following is from a city of Akron news release.)
The city of Akron will commemorate the events of Sept. 11 for the 10th straight year with ceremonies that will also memorialize the Akron Marine corporal who died in Afghanistan last December.
"The events of September 11, 2001 touched something deep in all of us," said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. "Over the years, many residents have joined with us annually to be sure that we never forget the horror of that day and that we remember the bravery of the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to serve others, as well as the men and women who still serve in uniform overseas." More than 3,000 people died at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania on that single day.
Commemorative Ceremonies, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m.
Akron's official commemoration will take place Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m. at the baseball field in Goodyear Heights adjacent to the Reservoir Park Community Center at 1735 Hillside Terrace.
Along with prayers for the victims of 9-11 and a recognition of Akron's first responders, Mayor Plusquellic will dedicate the baseball field on which Corporal Derek Wyatt of Akron's East High School played his way to a city championship.
"We honor Derek and his family for their sacrifice," said Plusquellic. "We consulted with those close to Derek, who agreed that the field should also be dedicated to all of our fallen heroes who have given their lives in service to their country."
Tribute to Corporal Derek Wyatt, 1985 - 2010
Wyatt attended East High School from 2000 to 2004. As a freshman, he entered the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. He was a talented athlete in cross country and became the second baseman of the first team at East High School in many years to qualify for the city championships. He became an All-City Series 2nd baseman.
After graduating from East, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. While stationed in Washington, D.C., he was selected for Presidential guard duty. In 2007, in Okinawa, Japan, he met a Marine who would become his wife in August, 2008, Kait McGlaughlin, who on Dec. 7, 2010, gave birth to their son Michael at Camp Pendleton, California.
Derek was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and was deployed to Afghanistan in "Operation Enduring Freedom," in October, 2010. On Dec. 6, 2010, at the age of 25 -- on the day before his son's birth -- he died while conducting combat operations in Helman Province, Afghanistan.
Dedication ceremony
Akron's September 11 ceremony continues a tradition begun by Plusquellic in September 2001, when he convened a community service to bring Greater Akron residents together. In the month following the attacks, the Greater Akron community raised $1.4 million dollars for the city of New York to purchase a fire truck, two ambulances and three police cruisers -- more than any community in the country raised for 9-11 victims, based on population.
On Sept. 11, 2002 and continuing through last year, a noontime commemoration has been held on the anniversary in downtown Akron. In the first few years, more than a thousand people attended the multi-denominational event.
"We have always tried to remember those who died on 9-11," said Plusquellic. "We also honor the first responders who saved many lives, and we honor Akron's police and fire forces who put their lives on the line for all of us, as well as the service of military men and women who were called into two wars after 2001."
This year's tribute will begin at Goodyear Heights United Methodist Church, where members of the Wyatt family will gather prior to the public service, and where the church congregation will welcome them afterwards.
The public is invited to join a procession from the church on Hillside Terrace at Newton Street to the baseball field on Hillside Terrace at Ottawa. The procession will be led by the combined color guard of the Akron Police and Fire departments.
Ceremonies at the baseball field will begin with an invocation by the Rev. Sam Martin, pastor of the Goodyear Heights Methodist Church. Local government leaders have been invited to participate as well as members of the Wyatt family.
The ceremony will end with the unveiling of a plaque dedicating the field as, "East High School Memorial Field, In Honor of Our Fallen Heroes, Cpl. Derek Wyatt, 1985-2010." Participants will include Wyatt's Marine instructors at East, Sgt. Major George Anger and Master Sgt. John MacLean, as well as Wyatt's baseball coach John Osolin and his former teammates. Marines from Akron's 3 / 25 battalion at Dan Street have also been invited to participate.
Akron Police Chief James Nice will recall the mood of Sept. 11, 2001, when he was placed in command of 90 FBI and other federal agents at Los Angeles International Airport to coordinate the massive response to the terrorist highjackings by federal, state and local officers Also speaking on behalf of first responders is Akron Fire Chief Robert Ross, who will reflect on the 343 firefighters who died in New York on Sept. 11.
The ceremonies are expected to conclude at 3 p.m.
