Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to be held at memorial in Cashmere’s Riverside Park

CASHMERE — On September 11, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the 24th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held at the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial in Cashmere’s Riverside Park. Each year, the community gathers here to pause together, and this year will be no different — the traditional bell ringing will once again honor the brave men and women who risked their lives.

Former Washington Governor Gary Locke will serve as guest speaker. America’s first Chinese-American governor, Locke was in his second term during the attacks and has long been part of remembrance events, even carrying the tradition back to Beijing on the 10th anniversary. His perspective, both as a Washington leader on that day and as someone who has helped keep the memory alive worldwide, adds a unique perspective to the program.

If you’ve never visited the Memorial, it’s a powerful place to stand. Built in 2015, the site includes a piece of structural steel from the 60th floor of one of the Twin Towers and an ornamental limestone segment from the face of the Pentagon. Four bronze statues represent the lives lost, and “The Survivor Tree,” a Callery pear like the one rescued from the World Trade Center site, anchors the space with quiet resilience. Four granite monuments list the names of those who perished on the airplanes and at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center site and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania — a roll call that turns numbers back into names.

The ceremony is open to everyone. First responders, active and retired military, flight crews, veterans and community members from around the region are invited to dedicate, honor and remember together. Organizers encourage attendees to bring a lawn chair for the program’s full 90 minutes. The Memorial will remain open before and after the ceremony for anyone who wishes to spend more time with the statues, read the names on the granite, or simply take a quiet walk through the space.

There’s no admission charge; donations are accepted to support the Memorial’s ongoing care. Commemorative keepsake coins will be available on site for $10. The Memorial itself is open year-round for free viewing, with tours available upon request — a good option for civic groups, youth clubs, or families who want to learn more in a guided setting.

For many, September 11 is a date that arrives with its own kind of stillness. Cashmere’s gathering at Riverside Park offers a place to share that moment — to hear the bell, to remember the stories behind the names, and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors who haven’t forgotten.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media