WEST MICHIGAN -- Tuesday marks 17 years since the September 11 tragedy and there are a handful of events planned in West Michigan to honor the lives lost.
Kalamazoo
The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is Tuesday at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.
Participants will climb the equivalent to 110 stories of the World Trade Center in honor of the 343 firefighters who died.
Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists hijacked four planes back on September 11, 2001, crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Proceeds from the event goes towards the families of the firefighters who passed away, allowing them to attend a memorial during the somber anniversary.
Registration for the stair climb starts at 7 a.m. Tuesday with the event kicking off at 9 a.m.
A 9/11 remembrance ceremony will be held in Bronson Park at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, for its seventh year.
Grand Rapids
The annual West Michigan Community Day of Remembrance is also planned for Tuesday in Grand Rapids.
It's a day-long 'Scout Salute' at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum that starts at 7:05 a.m.
The Boy Scouts of America will honor the lives lost with a salute, and flags lowered by both the Grand Rapids police and fire departments.
There will also be a moment of silence at 8:45 a.m., with two sessions planned for kids to learn how to prepare for a disaster.
The American Red Cross is also holding a blood drive inside the Ford Museum Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lakeview
The Blue Star Mothers of Kent, Montcalm, and Ionia counties are also hosting their 4th annual 9/11 Patriots Day Silent Parade.
The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sherman Street in Lakeview and is a way to honor our firefighters, first responders, and our military.
Members of the Grand Rapids Jeep Club will be taking part.
The parade will end in front of Lakeview High School with a brief time of remembrance.
Allendale
Students at Grand Valley State University also plan to place 2,977 mini American flags on the lawn of the Kirkhof Center at 7 a.m. Tuesday representing each person killed that day.
