The Mower County Veterans Memorial Committee has big plans for Patriot Day, which is the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Veterans and community officials will dedicate a new monument, an eagle with its wings tipped toward the sky, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the veterans memorial.

“We’ve had 12 people that have worked very hard to put that thing together,” said Norm Hecimovich, chair of the Veterans Committee.

Early this month, committee members considered two different monuments, and they recently settled on the one that is now permanently fixed at the veterans memorial.

Though the monument is pictured above, Veterans Service Officer Wayne Madson said people need to see it in person.

“The picture doesn’t really do it justice,” he said. “It’s when you’re standing next to it. It’s just beautiful.”

But Patriot Day will be more than a dedication to a monument. Several community members will deliver dedication speeches, including Wallace Alcorn; and students from Austin High School will sing the National Anthem.

“Nine-11 is so important for all Americans to understand,” Hecimovich said. “It’s one of our tragedies in history, but we did recover as a country.”

The Sept. 11 ceremony will also be the second anniversary of the Veterans Memorial. Hecimovich added the memorial now contains 800 of a total 1,056 pavers on the walk of remembrance. Pavers are still available for $300 each, and there are plans to start placing them on a new row, “So people can see who the great veterans are who served this country,” Hecimovich said.

Also during Patriot Day, all flags — United States, state and military — will be flown at half staff around the nation.