This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. During the NFDA International Convention & Expo, September 10-13 in Las Vegas, the association and attendees will honor the victims, as well as the families and survivors whose lives were forever changed that tragic day. There will also be opportunities to honor the sacrifices of the members of our country’s armed forces who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror that followed the 9/11 attack.
Service of Remembrance – 9/11 Never Forget
This year, NFDA’s Service of Remembrance will take place as part of the opening general session on Monday, September 11. The service will be an opportunity to remember and reflect on the tragedy that our country endured.
NFDA is honored to be joined by John LaBarbera, Battalion Commander, FDNY (Ret.), who will inspire us by sharing the stories of the heroes who put their lives on the line on 9/11 and honoring the memories of all who died.
As is tradition, during the Service of Remembrance, NFDA will also pay tribute to members of the funeral service family who died during the past year.
Service of Remembrance attendees will receive a commemorative 9/11 memorial pin.
There will also be an opportunity to purchase a special 9/11 t-shirt. Produced by Nine Line, a veteran owned and operated company, the shirts will be available in regular and ladies fit. Shirts will be sold for $25 (cash-only) immediately after the Service of Remembrance. If you wish to pay by credit card, you may do so in NFDA Central for $30. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will benefit two organizations:
Tunnel to Towers: Since 9/11, Tunnel to Towers has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The organization is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to never forget September 11, 2001. John LaBarbera, our speaker for the Service of Remembrance, is one of the founders of Tunnel to Towers. 
Veterans & Athletes United: Founded in 2013, this organization provides much-needed support to disabled veterans and their family members through accessible retreats and adaptive sports/recreation. The organization also created the traveling Global War on Terror Memorial Flag to honor the more than 7,000 fallen heroes who gave their lives to protect our freedom.
The collection taken up at the conclusion of the Service of Remembrance will benefit Tunnel to Towers.
For those who are unable to join their colleague in Las Vegas, the Service of Remembrance will be livestreamed on the NFDA Facebook page.
The Service of Remembrance is generously supported by Tukios and Messenger (included with registration).
NFDA Convention Expo Hall: Salute to Service Pavilion
The Salute to Service Pavilion has become a popular destination in the Expo Hall. In this special area, attendees can learn about funeral and burial benefits for veterans from representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Mortuary Affairs, the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations and Army Military Funeral Honors.
Making an exclusive appearance in the Salute to Service Pavilion during the NFDA Convention is the Global War on Terror Memorial Flag created by Veterans and Athletes United. This moving work of art travels throughout the United States, creating awareness of the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes during the Global War on Terror. This 28-foot wide by six-foot tall American flag symbolizes the shape of the flag when draped on a fallen service member’s casket. It was created with 7,000 dog tags of all those who have fallen during the War on Terror and features 50 gold stars honoring all Gold Star families nationwide.
Displayed in front of the flag is a battlefield cross sculpted in mahogany by veteran artist Alicia Dietz.
As we honor tragedy of 9/11 and the sacrifices of those who died during the Global War on Terror, we also commit to making our country and world a better place. Near the Global War on Terror Flag attendees will find a peace wall on which they can share how they will work to promote peace in the world.
Learning Opportunity
Don’t miss the workshop “Department of Defense Overseas Mortuary Operations” on Monday, September 11 at 8 a.m. The Department of Defense prescribes the highest preparation standards in the profession and applies those standards for those eligible to receive mortuary services. Learn the strict standards used by Department of Defense mortuaries worldwide, and how it can apply at your funeral home. Also learn how overseas mortuaries in the Pacific perform their duties and serve the communities in their region and how it may affect your funeral home. The workshop will be presented by Trevor Dean, program analyst, Department of Defense; Brooke Gurevich, director of the United States Forces Korea Mortuary; and Timothy Scott, program analyst, Department of Defense.
Register Today
Learn more about all that is happening during the NFDA International Convention & Expo and register today by visiting www.nfda.org/Convention or calling your member service representative at 800-228-6332.
We hope to see you there and that you will join us as we commemorate 9/11.
Additional Resources
Click below to listen to an episode of the Remembering A Life podcast during which four funeral directors shared their story of serving at Ground Zero. Visit the Remembering A Life website to hear extending conversations with each of them.