Patriot Day 2010

By OAA/OCPA-P for STAND-TO!September 9, 2010

Patriot Day 2010

What is it'

President G.W. Bush proclaimed September 11, as Patriot Day. On this day the American flag is flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments home and abroad and a moment of silence begins at 8:46 a.m. EDT, the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

What has the Army done'

The Army follows the traditions of the Defense Department with senior Army leadership participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial on Saturday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. The Secretary of Defense and the president are expected to attend. G-1 and The Pentagon Memorial will be open Monday - Sunday, 24 hours and available for personal reflection. Many events and activities will be held a numerous Army installations to remember those who died on that day and to remind our Army community to always be prepared for similar actions against our nation. Please see the Patriot Day site on Army.mil.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

This year saw the institution of the Army's first <a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2010/07/30/" target="_blank"> Antiterrorist Month </a> in August. That important program along with Ready Army provides the tools necessary to increase awareness of the terrorist threat as well as ensure they are prepared for any eventuality. Ready Army is an ongoing major initiative that provides educational materials and information that helps our communities and our families with an increased understanding of what "being prepared" really means.

Why is this important to the Army'

The Army cannot afford to become complacent where terrorrism is concerned. Therefore, in addition to celebrating Patriot Day on the 11th, National Preparedness Month runs in September. That campaign encourages the entire Army community to ensure they are ready by having a plan in place and a "kit" of supplies in case of potential disaster. It also highly recommends that Soldiers and their families stay informed by becoming familiar with their local first responders' disaster action plans for the schools, churches, businesses, hospitals and other entities in their surrounding communities.

References:

<a href="http://www.army.mil/patriotday/2010/index.html"target="_blank">Patriot Day</a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2010/07/30/" target="_blank"> Antiterrorism Awareness Month and iWATCH ARMY Implementation</a>