News Flash

The City of Hampton continues to remember the events of September 11th, 2001, with a new look for Day of Remembrance and Hope. The observance will begin at 8 AM, Thursday, September 11th, at Gosnold's Hope Park, 901 E Little Back River Rd in Hampton. While we will not have service-members in formation, or a color guard, or a rifle volley or some of the other ceremonial aspects found in years past, this event will remain dignified and distinctly tailored to the messages from that day thirteen years ago. Participants will reflect on the events of that day and remember its impact. Many participants might well leave with a deepened commitment to engage in their own forms of service to assure a brighter tomorrow.

After a brief introduction, musical selection and remarks, all the names of those whose lives were lost as a result of those September 11th, 2001 attacks on our nation will be read aloud. Toward that end, all attendees and volunteer readers will be handed at least one unique sheet of paper bearing the names of the deceased from that day. Each person will then read the names on their lists aloud, as others, standing beside them, do the same simultaneously from their own lists.

This 2014 observance continues a tradition, which began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attack. On December 11, 2001, the City of Hampton planted eleven evergreen trees ("Trees of Hope") in commingled soils ("The Soils of Justice") from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Since that date, Hampton citizens have gathered annually at the Trees of Hope to keep the memory of that fateful day alive and to read aloud the names of those who were lost on that day.

Citizens are invited to "come as they are." While RSVP's are not expressly required, for planning purposes, we would like to hear from our readers in advance. Please call 757-727-8311 or email call311@hampton.gov to volunteer. For more information, see "Readers Wanted" article in our "Top News" section.