Observance to honor heroes of Sept. 11

FRANKLIN FURNACE — It is being called Lest We Forget and its aim is to remember those whose lives were lost Sept. 11 and to honor the emergency services and the military.

Plymouth Heights Church of the Nazarene in Franklin Furnace will have its second community observance of the tragedy at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at Clark Athletic Complex at Portsmouth High School.

Why a sports stadium?

“Last year we had 1,300 people show up at Green High School,” Pastor Tim Throckmorton explained. “I didn’t realize we’d have such a crowd. So we moved it to have more room.”

Thomas Jordan, a World Trade Center disaster survivor, is one of the speakers for the event, as is State Representative Terry Johnson, who serves in the Ohio National Guard. The Plymouth Heights Choir will sing.

Throckmorton said the observance is important.

“When a nation or people forget their past and where they came from, they are destined to fail,” he said. “We dare not forget what took place 10 years ago. Our children need to know. We need to teach them and we need to remember and honor those who lost their lives and honor those who serve us today. I want people to leave with pride, proud of their country and proud of those who serve.”