Downtown Fort Mill churches will ring their bells together at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, marking the exact moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center 25 years ago.

The bell-ringing opens a full morning of remembrance the Town of Fort Mill has organized around the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. A ceremony follows immediately in front of Town Hall at 205 N. White St., according to the town's announcement.

Town staff and community partners will read aloud the names of all 412 first responders killed that day. The ceremony also includes a brief timeline of the attacks and a moment of silence.

The town said it will recognize Fort Mill Police Officer Mele, who was involved in the 9/11 response and lost friends and coworkers. The officer's full name was not included in the town's announcement.

Outside Town Hall, 412 American flags will line the lawn on the North White Street side, one for each fallen first responder. A Fort Mill Police Department patrol vehicle with a memorial wreath and a Fort Mill Fire Department display with turnout gear will stand alongside the flags.

The fire department also plans to hang a large American flag from a fire engine across Tom Hall Street in front of Fire Station 1.

American Legion Post 43 and the American Legion Auxiliary are helping place the flags and participating in the name reading. The post is also hosting a 9/11 First Responder Appreciation Lunch that day. The lunch is free for first responders. The public can attend for $5. A time and location for the lunch had not been posted as of Thursday, Sept. 3.

Residents who want to write thank-you cards for local first responders can drop them off at Town Hall's main entrance lobby, off McCammon Street, in a marked bin before Sept. 11. The cards will be presented to first responders at the lunch.

Separately, the Boy Scouts of America Palmetto Council is filling Walter Elisha Park at 345 N. White St. with its Flags for Heroes display from Sunday, Sept. 6, through Friday, Sept. 11. That display honors veterans, active-duty military, nurses, first responders, teachers and others, Palmetto Council said on Instagram.

The town will livestream the ceremony on its Facebook page and YouTube channel.

How to take part:

  • Bell-ringing: 8:46 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, downtown Fort Mill churches
  • Ceremony: Immediately after, Town Hall, 205 N. White St.
  • Thank-you cards: Drop off at Town Hall lobby (McCammon Street entrance) before Sept. 11
  • Appreciation lunch: Hosted by American Legion Post 43; free for first responders, $5 for the public
  • Flags for Heroes: Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., Sunday, Sept. 6, through Friday, Sept. 11
  • Livestream: Town of Fort Mill Facebook page and YouTube channel @fortmilltv