Michigan Lowering US Flags, Services Across State To Honor Sept. 11 Victims

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan is lowering U.S. flags to half-staff in remembrance of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Friday marks the 14th anniversary of the attacks.

"We join together as Americans to remember the innocent lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the sacrifices made," Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement. "We keep them and their families in our thoughts and prayers."

In marking Patriot Day, Snyder said: "We're grateful for all first responders who walk in their footsteps, serving their communities. We also thank the courageous men and women in the armed forces who have paid the ultimate price for freedom, those serving today, and our brave veterans."

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Saturday.

Elsewhere across the state, services are taking place to remember the victims of 9/11.

In Ann Arbor, University of Michigan students are displaying 2,977 American flags, one for each victim of the terrorist attacks.

Five names are being added to the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial in Oakland County, including state Trooper Chad Wolf, who died on duty two weeks ago. Artifacts will also be added nearby to a 9/11 memorial, including soil and rock from the crash site of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

Detroit's annual 9/11 Memorial Service takes place at 10 a.m. at Campus Martius Park. Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit Police Department's First Assistant Chief Lashinda Stair, and Fire Commissioner Edsel Jenkins will be on hand for the event.

The annual Patriot Day Ceremony is taking place in Farmington at 6 p.m. at the Walter Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park. Local officials will also pay tribute to those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror and will recognize personnel from the Farmington Public Safety Department and the Farmington Hills Police and Fire Departments.

"We put on this event every year to make sure our local citizens stay aware of possible threats to our American way of life," Joel Storchan, Second Vice Commander from the American Legion Groves-Walker Post #346, said in a statement. "It's important to keep those feelings of patriotism alive today and to realize that our first responders are more important now than ever."

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