First responder procession, 9/11 remembrance service planned in Tomball

The city of Tomball and Tomball Rotary Club will hold a ceremony Sept. 11 in downtown Tomball to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The remembrance gathering will take place at 201 S. Elm St., Tomball, and is free to attend.

The event will include a procession of first responders from Tomball and the surrounding area led by the Tomball fire and police color guards and a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace". The procession will begin at 8:30 a.m. from the Tomball Community Center to the Tomball Historic Depot Plaza.

At 8:46 a.m., a flag ceremony follows with the lowering of an official 9/11 20th anniversary flag, which will fly throughout the weekend, according to an Aug. 18 release from the city. Tomball Police Officer David Sparks will perform "Taps" during a remembrance service at the Tomball Historic Depot gazebo as well.

Lunch will be available for free to first responders, veterans and active duty military from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Depot. Members of the public can purchase a barbecue lunch as well.

On Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11, search lights will also be lit at the Depot to symbolize the twin towers—the two tallest buildings in the World Trade Center complex in New York City, which were destroyed on 9/11. The lights will be on from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. nightly with members of the Tomball police and fire departments and other agencies standing by, according to the release.