Owens Community College’s Student Government is inviting students and employees, as well as area residents to pay tribute to the victims and heroes who lost theirlives in the Sept. 11 tragedy eight years ago by participating in a series of free community events on Friday, Sept. 11.

A memorial display commemorating the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attack will be on display in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda beginning at 8:30 a.m. The display will include an elaborate floral arrangement as well as newspaper clippings and photos from the tragic event.

 In an effort to honor and remember every victim, a complete listing of those who perished will be on display. Visitors will also have the chance to leave their own inspirational messages and pick up one of 1,000 donated roses to present at the memorial as part of an interactive exhibit titled “Where Were You?”

Additionally,literature detailing the new National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center will be available. Memorial display activities will conclude at 7 p.m. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the film “102 Minutes That Changed America” in the Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. The 102-minute documentary film depicts in virtually real time the New York-based events of the Sept.11, 2001 attacks primarily using raw video footage from mostly amateur journalists. Produced by the History Channel, the documentary premiered in 2008.

“102 Minutes That Changed America” will air continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, Owens student Myrta Gschaar of Maumee will share the story about losing her husband, Robert, as a result of the terrorist attacks on the second tower at the World Trade Center in New York City.

Gschaar will display an array of artifacts from Sept. 11, including a piece of steel from the World Trade Center site that anartist masterfully handcrafted and sent to each victim’s family. The world language concentration major will be sharing her message at the memorial display throughout the day.

Nationally-acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Fein will also be on hand to discuss his documentary film, “About Objects and Memory” as part of a workshop presentation at 2 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Fein will highlight how ordinary everyday objects, ranging from a twisted beam from 9/11 to a rusting dog tag from the Vietnam era, can take on a significant and/or sentimental meaning to loved ones and society after traumatic events. At the workshop’s conclusion, a free viewing of the film “About Objects and Memory” will be offered at 5 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session with Fein. 

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