Local events mark Sept. 11 tragedy

Several events will mark the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy this year.

A special Patriot Day program “We Will Remember” will be presented at 11 a.m. Friday at the American Legion Post No. 66, 1560 W. Duval Mine.

Emceed by Margaret A. Curran, Post 66 commander, the program kicks off with music by the Bavarian Brass Band followed by a call to colors with the American Legion Post No. 66 Color Guard and Michael Finkelstein on bugle.

Keynote speaker is Green Valley Fire District Chief Simon Davis. The event is open to the public.

Emergency responders will be honored at Celebrate A Safe America, a dinner Saturday at the Green Valley Elks Lodge from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is the sixth annual combination of two 9-11 memorial events. The cost is $25 per person and includes a raffle, prizes and music. Dinner tickets are available at the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce or the Elks Lodge No. 2592.

The event honores firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement, the Border Patrol and others who continue to keep America safe.

Hosted by Hands of a Friend, proceeds from the dinner go to Genesis House, a domestic violence shelter, and the children of Wounded Warriors.

Students at Anza Trail School in Sahuarita are collecting items to make care packages and will be sending letters to U.S. soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Students will gather for a moment of silence on Friday, Patriot Day, and will wear red, white and blue. They also will honor military parents and family members.