Almost a decade after the horrific events of September 11, 2001 stunned Americans and the world, citizens of Atmore are preparing to observe the tenth anniversary of the single largest attack ever to occur on American soil in hopes the reminder will once again unite the nation.

Less then one month after burying Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson, the latest of Atmore’s sons to fall in the wars that followed that tragic day, plans are being made by residents all over town to spend Sunday celebrating the lives lost in 2001 and since.

American Legion First Vice Commander Jimmy Beck said his organization, along with the Atmore chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, is also pitching in to make sure no one forgets the price that has been paid for America’s freedoms.

Beck said the two groups will collaborate Saturday morning to line Main Street with flags in honor of those lost.

“We start at the corner of Main Street and Craig and go north across the railroad track and we go up to the north side of First National Bank,” Beck said. “We do both sides of the street.”

In addition to adorning Main Street with flags Beck is also asking that any and all Atmore residents and businesses flying American flags lower them to half-mast from sun rise Sunday morning until sun set that evening. That request, Beck pointed out, has been handed down from President Obama himself.

For more on how Atmore residents plan to observe September 11, 2011 see the Saturday edition of The Atmore Advance.