Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial

NAPERVILLE, Ill. —  On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the City is partnering 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. on 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 is 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.

In addition to the Sept. 11 remembrance event, two beams of light will shine behind the Naperville Municipal Center on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10, to represent the Twin Towers that fell during the attacks. The lights will be on from dusk on Sept. 10 until dawn on Sept. 11.

For more information about Naperville Responds for Veterans, visit https://www.napervilleresponds.org/. For more information about the City of Naperville, visit https://www.naperville.il.us/.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.