West Dundee’s Grafelman Park is once again hosting True Patriot Care Memorial Healing Fields. Shown here, 403 American flags fly in the park in 2025 to honor first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001. | Rick West/Daily Herald
By Chris Gerke | Daily Herald
It’s been 25 years since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but that doesn’t mean we forget. Here’s how communities across the suburbs will observe this solemn anniversary.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Healing Fields: Wednesday to Sunday, Sept. 9-13. Tribute of patriotism and remembrance, commemorating both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. Sponsored by American Legion Post 57, the Healing Fields will be presented at four locations, each offering a display of American flags honoring the lives lost, the heroes who rose in courage, and the enduring strength of our nation. This is the third year Oak Brook will host the Healing Field, having done so for both the 15th and 20th anniversaries of the Sept. 11 attacks. The Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road, is featuring 2,977 flags honoring those who perished on 9/11, with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 and closing ceremony at 2 p.m. Sept. 13. A special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony features a wreath placement at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 with Bugles Across America and guest speakers with personal connections to 9/11. The Sept. 13 Main Event will feature the reading of names at 11 a.m., the arrival of the “Ride to Remember” motorcycle tribute and a large American flag displayed from an Oak Brook Fire Department ladder truck at 1:30 p.m., and remarks from 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Worker and Tunnel to Towers Ambassador Tim Mottl at 2 p.m. In addition, there will be Healing Fields of 403 flags honoring first responders of 9/11 at Panton Mill Park, 9 N. Water St. in South Elgin; Carpentersville Fire Station, 213 Spring St.; and Grafelman Park, Fourth and Main streets in West Dundee. Free. truepatriotscare.com/2026-healing-fields/.
Thursday, Sept. 10
9/11 Remembrance Worship Service: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Immanuel Lutheran Church sanctuary, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. Remember those whose lives were lost, honor the courage and sacrifice shown that day. All are welcome. facebook.com/immanuelschooleastdundee/.
Friday, Sept. 11
A “last alarm” bell is rung during the 2025 Schaumburg Patriot Day ceremony at the Public Safety Memorial. | Rick West/Daily Herald
Schaumburg Patriot Day Ceremony: 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the public safety memorial near Fire Station 51, 950 W. Schaumburg Road. Retired Schaumburg Fire Capt. Rick Kolomay will serve as guest speaker, and retired Schaumburg firefighters who assisted at Ground Zero following the attacks will be in attendance. Fire and police personnel, village staff and elected officials will honor the memories of the fallen with a “last alarm” bell ceremony, three-volley salute, taps and the national anthem. For questions, visit villageofschaumburg.com.
9/11 Memorial Mass: 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness. During the Mass marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, first responders from the Inverness, Barrington, Palatine, and Hoffman Estates police and fire departments will receive blessings. Visit facebook.com/holyfamilyinverness.
Elgin Patriot Day observance: 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on the west steps of Elgin City Hall, 150 Dexter Court. Marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the program will feature remarks from Mayor Dave Kaptain, Fire Chief Robb Cagann, Police Chief Ana Lalley, and American Legion Post 57 Commander Jason Shanahan. Honor guards from the Elgin fire and police departments will post and retire the colors during the ceremony, and vocalists from Larkin High School will perform the national anthem. A recording of the ceremony will posted on the City of Elgin YouTube channel. In the event of inclement weather, it move to the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way. For questions, dial 311 in Elgin.
Palatine Patriot Day Ceremony: 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial, North Brockway and West Slade. Members of the Palatine fire and police departments will lower the flag, place a wreath at the memorial, and perform a ceremonial ringing of the bell to signify a firefighter’s last call of duty. Visit palatine.il.us.
Wauconda 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the 9/11 Memorial, East Liberty and South Main streets, Wauconda. The village and the Wauconda Fire Protection District mark the 25th anniversary with a presentation of colors, an invocation, presentation of wreaths, comments by Wauconda Fire Protection District Chief Curt Hanselman, and a moment of silence. Note: Main Street will be closed between Route 176 and the south entrance to the police department beginning at 7:30 a.m. Limited parking will be available in the police department lot. Those who are able to walk are encouraged to park on Main Street, Maple Avenue or in the municipal parking lot at the corner of West Mill Street and Maple Avenue. Visit wauconda-il.gov.
Harper College 9/11 ceremony: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Wojcik Conference Center Amphitheater (Building W), 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Speakers will include Itasca Fire Protection Chief John “Jack” Schneidwind, a fourth-generation firefighter who volunteered at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City; and Tony Butler, Harper’s director of risk management, who will share the story of Rick Rescorla, a Sept. 11 hero who served as vice president of security for Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center and became known for helping evacuate thousands of people. Rescorla was a close friend of Butler’s uncle. Parking available in lot 14. Visit events.harpercollege.edu.
Hoffman Estates Patriot Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 411 W. Higgins Road. The village’s Veterans Memorial Commission is hosting a memorial ceremony with the theme “What Does it Mean to Never Forget?” with reflections from Hoffman Estates Fire Lt. Justin Schuenke, Hoffman Estates Police Sgt. Bryant Savage and U.S. Army veteran Jackson Lanners. The Salvation Army Band Ensemble, North & Central Illinois Division will perform. Visit hoffmanestates.org.
Crystal Lake Day of Remembrance: 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Union Cemetery, 150 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake. Hosted by the city and American Legion Post 171, the ceremony will feature bagpipe music, three-volley salute, Marine Corps Color Guard, and bells rung in honor of those individuals and groups impacted by Sept. 11, 2001. Special floodlights will be set up in the city parking lot at Woodstock Street and Dole Avenue with two beams of light shining into the sky after 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Football programs at Prairie Ridge and Central high schools will pause for a minute of reflection during the Friday night games. Attendees will be asked to face the floodlights for a moment of silence. Visit facebook.com/AmericanLegionCrystalLake or downtowncl.org.
Elgin Police Department Sgt. Jim Lalley plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes at the closing of the 2025 Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony outside of Elgin City Hall. | City of Elgin
Carpentersville 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the new Riverfront Park, 155 S. Washington St., Carpentersville. As night falls, two beams of light will rise into the sky as a tribute. Throughout the evening, a9/11 memorial attendees can walk the paths of Riverfront Park, lined with full-size American flags and images from Sept. 11. The ceremony includes guest speakers, moments of reflection and candles for attendees. Visit facebook.com/villageofcarpentersvillepublicsafety.
Saturday, Sept. 12
9/11 Heroes Run 5K: 9:11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Community Park, 8 Bridges Drive, South Barrington. Join runners, ruckers, and walkers of all ages and fitness levels to honor the heroes of that day and those who stepped up to serve in the wars that followed. $26-$51. Register: runsignup.com.
Sunday, Sept. 13
First Responder Sunday: 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 13, at Quentin Road Baptist Church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich. A free barbecue lunch honoring local first responders. It will open with a police K-9 demonstration, followed by a complimentary lunch featuring Carolina-style barbecue, including overnight oak-smoked ribs, pulled pork, turkey and beef, along with homemade sides and desserts. Children can enjoy giant inflatables. Visit quentinroad.org/event/first-responders-sunday/.
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