Hilliard will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a public ceremony at Station Park in downtown Hilliard on Sept. 11, starting at 9 a.m.

The Hilliard Division of Police and Norwich Township Fire Department are co-hosting the event, which will feature a keynote address by retired Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, a Hilliard resident and director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. Ashenhurst was the first woman to serve as adjutant general of Ohio, a role she held from 2011 to 2015, commanding 17,000 service members in the Ohio National Guard, the Ohio Naval Militia and the Ohio Military Reserve, according to the city's announcement.

Her military career began in 1978 when she enlisted in the Ohio National Guard. She was commissioned as an engineer officer in 1980 and served more than 37 years in the Army and Guard. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Hilliard Chief of Police Michael Woods and Norwich Township Fire Department Battalion Chief Heith Good will also speak. Students from Hilliard Darby High School will sing the National Anthem and "America the Beautiful," and the Norwich Township Bagpipe Band will open the ceremony with a prelude.

The ceremony will close with a wreath laying at First Responders Park by the joint Hilliard Police-Norwich Fire Honor Guard.

Guests can visit the park afterward.

Road closure and parking

Main Street will be closed from about 8 to 11 a.m. for the ceremony. Free parking is available in the Center Lot at Center and Wayne streets and the Madison Lot at Wayne and Madison streets.

The Hilliard Division of Police posted an invitation on Instagram on Aug. 28, encouraging residents to attend. The Norwich Township Fire Department also promoted the ceremony on Facebook, saying Sept. 11 will always carry a special weight for those in the fire service. The event is free and open to the public.