Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Indiana Governor Mike Pence have directed flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state facilities today (Friday) for Patriot Day. Flag are to remain lowered until sunset.

Governor Rauner said ''It's important as Illinoisians that we observe Patriot Day to honor the thousands of men and women who lost their lives or were injured during the attacks on 9-11.'' .

A joint resolution approved December 18th, 2001, designates September 11th each year as Patriot Day in memory of the 2,977 people killed in the 9-11 attacks.

In 2009 President Barack Obama also requested that each September 11th be annually recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

An Iroquois County event is this evening at the Crescent City Fire Department. The 6:30 program finds the '1st Responders Appreciation Event' honoring front-line responders including radio dispatchers, EMS, Police, Fire and the Coroners.

Watseka Fire Lt. Kyle Schaumburg is the featured speaker. He visited the World Trade Center in New York on the 10th Anniversary of 9-11.

Special guest for the event is Illinois Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti.

94.1 WGFA