On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the City of Naperville government will be a partner with Naperville Responds for Veterans for the annual remembrance event that honors the victims and heroes of the attacks.
The remembrance will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial, located behind the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., along the Riverwalk. The Naperville Municipal Band will begin playing music at 4:45 p.m.. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Municipal Center City Council Chambers.
This year’s keynote speaker will be retired Marine Maj. Charles Lynn Lowder, a decorated Vietnam veteran. Lowder, a longtime Naperville resident, is now a motivational speaker and co-founder and CEO of the Veteran Business Project (VBP). VBP is a nonprofit that assists service members, veterans and their spouses who are interested in small business ownership. He is also one of the owners of Rosie’s Home Cookin’ diner. All profits from the diner go towards the VBP to help veterans and their families.
The Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial pays tribute to Cmdr. Shanower, a Naperville native and Navy officer who died in the attack on the Pentagon. The memorial, one of the first in the nation, was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2003. The remembrance event is an opportunity to observe this significant moment in America’s 250th year history and commemorate the lives lost on 9/11, their families, the first responders and survivors. All are welcome to attend.
—City of Naperville government