What is the 9/11 Salute and Day of Remembrance?

This annual event now in its 23rd year is an opportunity for families and communities to come together to remember and honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well as to thank and honor our Military, Veterans, Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. Over the past few years, additional locations throughout the state have been added as the event has grown.

The 9-11 Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute is open to all members of the community, religious organizations, educational institutions, social and civic organizations, businesses, and local, state, and national agencies, organizations and associations.

Ways You Can Participate

You and others can participate in one of the several in-person locations.

Choose to organize and participate on your own at a location convenient to you and others.

Join us virtually through our social channel and attend from wherever you are.

Who can participate? Scouts, leaders, families and community members of all ages can participate in our annual 9-11 Community Day of Remembrance and Scout Salute. By pre-registering your participation, you will receive the 2024 Collectors Edition Shoulder Strip. Pre-registration is required.

Do I need to Pre-Register? For planning purposes and to receive the special patch, we encourage you to pre-register. This will help event organizers in their planning. Additional details will be sent to you upon registration completion.

Individual and Unit Participation Registration

Units or families that would like to participate in the event on 9/11 should complete the form below.

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Address

Mailing Address City State Zip Code

Phone

Unit Type

Unit Number

Number of Patches

Choose your location(Required)

Your own location(Required)

CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION - OLD

GRAND RAPIDS - PRESIDENT FORD MUSEUM

TRAVERSE CITY - GRAND TRAVERSE METRO FIRE

MUSKEGON - USS SILVERSIDES

BAY CITY - USS EDSON MUSEUM

ALBION - AMERICAN LEGION POST 55

FARMINGTON - FARMINGTON RILEY PARK

MUSKEGON - LST 393

ATTENDING VIRTUALLY

PARTICIPATING ON OUR OWN

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Honorary Co-Chairs

Col James F. Grady II
Director of Michigan State Police

Col. James F. Grady II is the 20^th Director of the Michigan State Police. As Director, Colonel Grady also serves as State Director of Emergency Management and as Michigan’s Homeland Security Director. In 1998, Colonel Grady joined the MSP as a trooper, serving at the former Adrian and Detroit posts. He was promoted to detective and supervisor at the post level.

In 2015, Colonel Grady was promoted to detective first lieutenant and section commander of the Fraud Investigation teams, where he was responsible for the coordination of investigations to protect the citizens of Michigan from fraud.

In 2018, Colonel Grady was promoted to assistant division commander within the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, making him responsible for day-to-day management of all programs and activities within the division. In this role, he also served as a liaison to the governor’s office, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Homeland Security.

In 2020, Colonel Grady was promoted to captain and became commander of the MSP Training Division, where he worked to modernize the police training program and develop well-rounded and highly trained troopers.

Colonel Grady holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology from Eastern Michigan University and is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration degree from Cleary University.

Kevin J. Sehlmeyer
Michigan State Fire Marshal/Director of the Bureau of Fire Services

Kevin Sehlmeyer was appointed Michigan State Fire Marshal in April 2017. Sehlmeyer serves as the Director for the Bureau of Fire Services within the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and leads a state-wide community risk reduction effort, known as MI Prevention, to make communities safer and reduce fire fatalities. Sehlmeyer is also a 2^nd Vice President with the International Fire Marshals Association.

Prior to his appointment as Michigan State Fire Marshal, Sehlmeyer served as the Deputy Fire Chief of the Grand Rapids Fire Department. After 30+ years with the department he retired in January 2016. Before joining the Grand Rapids Fire Department, Sehlmeyer was a crash rescue firefighter with the Michigan Air National Guard for six years. Sehlmeyer holds a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University.

Sehlmeyer has volunteered as the State Lead Advocate in Michigan for the Nation Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) since 2012. In addition, since 2016, he has served as the NFFF Lead Volunteer Regional Advocate coordinating efforts in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan towards reducing line of duty deaths.

U.S. Army Major General Paul D. Rogers
Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

U.S. Army Major General Paul D. Rogers commands and directs more than 150 units that comprise the Michigan National Guard (approximately 10,500 Soldiers and Airmen) and oversees the employment of more than 700 State and 300 Federal employees that make up the department’s branch operations which include Michigan Veteran Homes, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, State Operations and the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy.

MG Rogers received his commission through the Reserved Officer Training Corps as a graduate from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to being selected as Adjutant General for the Michigan National Guard, MG Rogers’ other notable assignments include Commander, 507^th Engineer Battalion; Regimental Commander, 177^th Regional Training Institute; and Deputy Commanding General, 46^th Military Police Command. Operational assignments include Operation Iraqi Freedom, as Commander, 507^th Engineer Battalion.

MG Rogers also served as the Director of U.S. Army Research Development Engineering Command – Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), in Warren, Michigan. He provided executive management to deliver advanced technology solutions for all Department of Defense ground systems and combat support equipment. MG Rogers managed a workforce of more than 1,700 employees and set the strategic direction for investments affecting more than 270 Army systems, with an annual budget of more than $475 million.

Gregory Ford, OD
Doctor of Optometry

Dr. Greg Ford is a graduate of Forest Hills Central High School and a lifelong resident of the Grand Rapids area. He earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from Ferris State University College of Optometry. Dr Ford joined his father’s optometry practice and continues to see patients on a part time basis. In addition, Dr Ford is the local medical director for a group of private practice optometry offices in central and western Michigan.

Dr. Ford was honored as the Michigan Young Optometrist of the Year in 1995, and Optometrist of the Year in 2014 for his outstanding contributions to Optometry and the community. He is currently active on the legislative committee of the Michigan Optometric Association and enjoys mentoring young optometrists. He is active in his church and enjoys golf and hockey. He and his wife, Carla, live in Grand Rapids and have 3 grown children and one grandchild.

As the youngest nephew of President Gerald R. Ford, Dr. Ford actively participates in events and meetings of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation. He is often asked to speak and relay stories of his times with President and Mrs. Ford, including visits to The White House.