Tempe will host several days of reflection as Americans commemorate the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.  

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that terrible day and the Valley of the Sun Exchange Clubs Foundation, along with several community partners, will pause to remember the victims at Tempe’s fourth annual Healing Field event.

The commemoration will conclude Tuesday, Sept. 11, with a 7 p.m. candlelight vigil at Tempe Beach Park.

Healing Field is free and open to the public at Tempe Beach Park, on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. United Blood Services will host a community blood drive at the park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Flag retirement ceremonies will take place throughout the weekend, so members of the public are encouraged to bring their old flags that need proper disposal.

Schedule of events

Tempe Beach Park will be open Saturday through Tuesday for this event, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Events include:

Saturday, Sept. 8, from 6-9 a.m. – Flags will be installed by volunteers beginning at 6 a.m. Media are invited on site to talk to the event’s organizer, Jerry Michael, and other volunteers about what the display means to them.  

Sunday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Tempe Beach Park will be open. Stop by the Healing Field display on your way to or from the Tempe Center for the Arts Grand Opening Family Day, which is noon to 5 p.m. A shuttle will run between the events – more information below.

Monday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Tempe Beach Park will be open.

Tuesday, Sept. 11 – At 5:40 a.m. and 6:03 a.m. (when the World Trade Center towers were struck, Arizona time), there will be brief, informal commemorations with music and prayer.

At 7 p.m., hundreds will gather for a candlelight vigil with music, singing, prayer and speakers.  

PARKING AND SHUTTLE

Parking for Healing Field will be available in the US Airways parking garage on the south side of Rio Salado Parkway, west of Mill Avenue. ADA-accessible parking will be available in the surface lot west of Tempe Beach Park along Ash Avenue.

A free shuttle will run every five minutes from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, for those who wish to go to Healing Field and the Tempe Center for the Arts Grand Opening Family Day. Pickup/dropoff locations will be: at ASU’s Lot 59; at the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway; at Mill Avenue and Fifth Street; and at US Airways at Third Street and Ash Avenue.