Welcome to the United Way of Anderson County

Ten years have passed since that clear September morning when nearly 3000 people were killed, innocent victims of terrorists who hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and aboard United Flight 93 that went down in Shanksville, PA, forever altering our nation. On 9/12, American pride rose from the ashes and spread throughout our country filling our hearts with gratitude that we live in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. We all had a great sense of appreciation and respect for our local first responders who, just as in New York, Washington and Shanksville, go into dangerous situations every day to protect and serve the citizens of our community.

United Way of Anderson County has convened several organizations together to organize community events around the 10^th Anniversary of September 11. Sponsored by United Way of Anderson County, City of Anderson, Anderson County, Independent Mail, WRIX-FM and AmeriCorps, the events are planned from Aug 31 – Sept 19 to commemorate the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history and to say thank you to our local heroes.

As we commemorate this anniversary, let us again feel the pride of being an American and let us honor the firemen, emergency medical technicians and policemen who continue to serve our communities every day and the men and women who serve in our armed services by flying the American flag at our homes and workplaces all over Anderson County. Remembering we are the land of the free!!

Two community events will be held on Sunday, September 11^th beginning with a community wide service at the William Floyd Amphitheatre at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center at 8:00 am – 9 am. The purpose of the event is to mark the 10^th anniversary of the national tragedy by gathering in unity as a community and celebrating our freedom as Americans. There will be performances by GAMAC Chorale, The Anderson University Concert Choir and the Youth Choir of the Concert of Hope and Remembrance.

Due to the nature of the event, no backpacks will be allowed at the amphitheater and all other bags will be subject to search. Chair and blankets are allowed.

At 3:00 pm, there will be a parade on Main St. in downtown Anderson. The parade will feature high school bands, representation from the local fire departments, the police department, the Sheriff’s department and the military.

Dr. Kevin McCowan, native Andersonian who was one of the first medical personnel on site at the World Trade Center will be the Grand Marshall for the parade.

T-shirts commemorating Anderson Remembers…9/11 will be on sale for $10. To purchase t-shirts, call United Way of Anderson County at (864) 226-3438.

Below is a listing events that will occur from Aug 31^st- Sept 19^th.

August 31

“Tri-County Remembers 9/11” Banner signing at Fall “Get Connected” Event - Pendleton Campus

(12 – 2 pm)

Banners will be displayed in front of campuses on September 9-16.

September 1

“Tri-County Remembers 9/11” Banner signing at Fall “Get Connected” Event - Anderson Campus

(11:30 am – 1:30 pm)

Banners will be displayed in front of campuses on September 9-16.

September 6

"A Time to Pray, A Time for Peace: A Surgeon's Story...September 11, 2001 - Anderson County Museum Dr.-Kevin-McCowan.jpg

(5:30 – 7:00 pm)

Native Andersonian, Dr. Kevin McCowan was in New York on 9/11 and was one of the 1st volunteer physicians on the scene amidst the chaos and carnage. Kevin wrote a book about his experience entitled A Time to Pray, A Time for Peace: A Surgeon's Story...September 11, 2001. He also donated some of his photos, articles of clothing worn on that day and other artifacts to the Virginia Historical Society, The Center for Virginia History. Some of these items will be on display at the Anderson County Museum during the 9/11 events. He will share his 1st hand accounts with visuals and experiences of the day that changed our nation forever.

September 7

Blood Drive - United Way of Anderson County, 907 N. Main St.

(9:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Carol Loyd

(864) 226-3438

“Tri-County Remembers 9/11” Banner signing at Fall “Get Connected” Event - Easley Campus

(12 – 2 pm)

Banners will be displayed in front of campuses on September 9-16.

September 8

Prayer Vigil at the flag - AnMed Health Main Campus and North Campus

(1:00 pm)

Join us for an open prayer ceremony as remember the victims and events of 9/11

Open to the public

Remembrance, Unity and Freedom Exhibit – Belton Center for the Arts

(5:30 - 8:30 pm)

Belton Center for the Arts will host an opening reception for Remembrance, Unity and Freedom Exhibit featuring Belton-Honea Path High School art students.

This reception is open to the public.

The 9-11 Conspiracy Theories Lecture - Marshall Parker Auditorium, Oconee Hall, Pendleton Campus

(6 - 8pm)

Presented by Dr. Chad Gregory, History Instructor and Coordinator of Instructional Activities, Humanities Department

In recent years, a growing number of Americans have concluded that the horrific attacks on 9/11 were either planned by rogue or official persons and agencies of the United States government, or that the government knew of the impending attacks and allowed them to happen. Why? To provide a justification for starting a war in the Middle East to secure access to dwindling world oil supplies, to maintain US military supremacy worldwide, and to continue the flow of lucrative defense contracts to select companies.

Chad Gregory will give a presentation that examines the most cited reasons given by the conspiracy community that has grown up around the events of 9/11 and present criticisms of this particular conspiracy and conspiratorial thinking in general. Time will be allowed at the end of the presentation for questions and discussion.

This lecture sponsored by the College Enrichment Series and is one of a series of events sponsored by Tri-County Technical College in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

September 9

Rotary Wise Walk Unveiling - Downtown Anderson

(11:00 am)

Join members of Anderson Rotary, Electric City Rotary and Greater Anderson Rotary as they unveil the latest 'wise walk" in downtown Anderson featuring the Rotary 4-way test.

September 11

Anderson Remembers…9/11 - William A. Floyd Amphitheater Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center

(8 – 9:00 am)

The purpose of the event is to mark the 10^th anniversary of the national tragedy by gathering in unity as a community and celebrating our freedom as Americans.

Performances by GAMAC Chorale, The Anderson University Concert Choir and the Youth Choir of the Concert of Hope and Remembrance.

9/11 Parade Honoring local First Responders - Main Street

(3:00 pm)

Grand Marshall - Native Andersonian, Dr. Kevin McCowan

Remembrance Walk of Hope - Hospice of the Upstate

(6:00 pm)

There will be a brief time of reflection through readings and music followed by a candlelit walk of our canvas labyrinth. This will be held in the downstairs Conference Room of the Sadler Bereavement and Education Center. The labyrinth will be set up all week-end and interested individuals and groups can schedule other times to walk the labyrinth by contacting Rev. Nancy Blakely, chaplain, Rainey Hospice House at 224-3358 or nblakely@hospicehouse.net.

September 12

Blood Drive – First Baptist Church - Anderson

(4 - 8:00 pm)

Glen Bolt

(864) 224-1622

Blood Drive – Tri-County Technical College – Easley Campus

(8 am – 12 pm)

Shannon Holland

(864) 220-8890

September 13

Blood Drive – City of Anderson – Anderson Recreation Center

10 am – 2 pm

Roger Cason

(86) 231-2209

Movie “New York Says Thank You” – Anderson City Council Chambers

Time TBD

September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in the minds of our country forever. America was attacked, testing the foundation of this great country. “New York Says Thank You,” a great epic story of healing and patriotic heroism, is told through the lives of four New Yorkers (a playful firefighter from the Bronx, the stern yet sensitive Construction Superintendent of Ground Zero, an Italian financial advisor and family man from Staten Island, and an Irish Catholic firefighter whose first fire was on 9/11.) These individuals grow, face their emotions, and ultimately triumph over tragedy through an amazing community effort that evolved from a five-year-old New York City boy’s idea. This feature length documentary film sheds a new light of hope and honor on the memory of this historic day.

Open to the public

September 14

Blood Drive – Tri-County Technical College – Pendleton Campus (In front of Pickens Hall)

(9 am – 2 pm)

Deborah Brock

(864) 646-1351

US Constitution Day Celebration Cake Cutting – Tri-County Technical College (All Campuses)

(12 – 2 pm)

This event will be a celebration of the freedoms represented by the constitution as we remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001. Copies of the US Constitution will be distributed.

September 15

Blood Drive – Tri-County Technical College – Anderson Campus

(9 am – 12 pm)

Sue Bladzik

(864) 260-6707

September 19

Blood Drive - Anderson University

10 am – 5 pm

Deb Taylor, Director of Health Services

(864) 622-6063