Lower Makefield 9/11 Memorial Different In 2020 (ICYMI)

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — The memorial to the Sept. 11 attacks at The Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield Township will be a little bit different in 2020.

The public is invited to attend a socially distanced remembrance event at the garden, which is Pennsylvania's official memorial to the 2001 attacks, which took the lives of 2,973 victims.

Visitors are free to take a self-guided tour through the garden. Fountains will rise up on Monday and will remain on until Sept. 21. Visitors are asked to be mindful of social distancing and wear masks when they can't remain six feet away from others.

On Sept. 11, the Garden of Reflection fountain area will remain accessible until 5 p.m. All visitors are asked to leave the park between 5-6 p.m. as organizers prepare for the evening ceremony.

That ceremony will be a drive-through procession, starting at 7 p.m. at the park, which is at 1950 Woodside Rd. Attendees will drive in through a procession of lights, arrive at the Flag Circle and then the Garden of Reflection.

There will be remnants from the World Trade Center at the Flag Circle, followed by the towering fountains, symbolizing hope.

"This remembrance ceremony is a reminder that, after darkness, there is light," organizers said.

During the ride, visitors will be able to tune their car radios to hear speeches from 9/11 family members and clergy up to a mile away. More details on this will follow.

Those who are unable to attend may watch live footage of the procession, along with the speeches, via Lower Makefield's Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as on Verizon Channel 20 and Comcast Channel 22.

Anyone with questions about the ceremonies may contact Lower Makefield parks and recreation Director Monica Tierney at Monicat@lmt.org. To donate to The Garden of Reflection Remembrance Fund Endowment, you may visit its website.