A statewide “Standing Tall” celebration’s planned for September 11th. The Iowa National Guard and the Capital City’s police and fire departments have organized it. Des Moines Police Lieutenant Kelly Willis says it’ll be a celebration of freedom. A patriotic parade will start at the statehouse at six o’clock, then a memorial service will be held at Sec Taylor Stadium at 7:30. Willis says for the past 10 months, the Iowa National Guard, police and fire departments been fielding hundreds of requests for participation in events to commemorate September 11th.Willis says they decided to combine resources and put on one big show. There’ll be a military band and an Air Guard fly-over at Sec Taylor Stadium. Willis says while September 11th was a tragedy that’ll be remembered through the ages, it has also had some positive impact on the country by unifying Americans. He says it has helped bridge the generation gap and some problems the police had in dealing with the community.
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