Mercer Island 9/11 Patriot Day Observances

This year Patriot Day falls on a Tuesday, the same day of the week as that fateful day 11 years ago when terriorists struck New York City and Washington, DC.

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President Barack Obama has requested that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad.

The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. (EDT), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. President George W. Bush signed into law on Dec. 18, 2001, declaring the day be set aside to remember the 2,977 killed on that day.

will also lower flags to half-mast and observe a moment of silence.

Local commemorations will contine this weekend on Mercer Island with the Saturday, Sept. 15 in .

The 9/11 Heroes Run is an annual event held in nearly 30 cities around the country and overseas. Always held around 9/11, the run honors our police, fire, EMS and military personnel who selflessly give so that we may enjoy safety and freedom. This annual run is a fundraiser that supports both The Travis Manion Foundation and the Mercer Island-based . The money raised will go to help the families of our fallen heroes.

In 2009, a presidential proclamation declared the annual date, Sept. 11, be as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

The proclamation calls on Americans to "participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services ... to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001."

Are you doing anything special on Tuesday? Tell us in the comments.