After the devastating tragedy on September 11, 2001, a group of caring Naperville residents approached then-Mayor George Pradel to form a committee to honor Commander Dan Shanower, a Naperville native serving in the Navy who was working at the Pentagon that fateful day. Shanower lost his life.
The committee, spearheaded by Chuck Johanns, met and decided to build a memorial. At the request of the Shanower family, the memorial was dedicated to all those individuals who were killed on September 11, 2001, due to the terrorist attacks.
In 2008, the Exchange Club was asked to take over planning the annual service since it ties into its Americanism efforts.
This year on the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Exchange Club of Naperville is sponsoring the annual September 11 remembrance at the Cmdr. Dan Shanower Memorial. This year’s program will feature remarks from Cmdr. Dan Shanower’s brother, Dr. Thomas Shanower. Dr. Shanower served two and a half years in the Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga prior to working in India and West Africa before joining the US Department of Agriculture in 1998. He currently serves as an Associate Area Director for the Agricultural Research Service’s Pacific West Area.
The program will take place at 1PM on Sun., Sept. 11 at the Memorial, located behind the Municipal Center along the Riverwalk.
In case of rain, the event will take place inside Council Chambers at the Municipal Center. Music before the ceremony will begin at 12:45PM. The Naperville Municipal Band will perform.
