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Dayton Sikhs join 9/11 Remembrance ceremony in Beavercreek
The Sikh community also remembered Balbir Singh Sodhi, a victim of hate-crimes post the 9/11 terror attacks.
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 13, Sep 2025
- 15:19 EDT
- 13
The American flag was lowered during the 24th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Beavercreek Memorial / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh Gumtala
The Sikh community in Dayton participated in the 24th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, organized on Sept. 11 at the Beavercreek 9/11 Memorial.
The event, by the Beavercreek Police and Fire Departments, honored the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including those killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
Also read: Indian Americans in Boston observe anniversary of 9/11 attacks
The program featured the lowering of the American flag, floral tributes by military personnel, the national anthem, and the ringing of a ceremonial bell at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the North Tower. Beavercreek Mayor Don Adams delivered a message of remembrance, emphasizing the importance of unity and honoring the courage of first responders.
Attendees stand for the national anthem during the 24th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh Gumtala
Community leaders, and Mayor Don Adams at the memorials / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh Gumtala
Members of the Sikh community join police and Army personnel / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh Gumtala
Sameep Singh Gumtala, a community activist, stated that the Sikh community's involvement was a tribute to the victims and the first responders who "served courageously that day." Among the attendees were Avtar Singh of Springfield, who arrived with his vehicle decorated in flags and banners reading “Remembering 9/11,” “Sikh Americans Stand for Freedom,” and “God Bless America.” The gesture drew praise from Mayor Adams and others present.
Also in attendance was Dr. Charanjit Singh Gumtala, a Punjabi writer and patron of the Amritsar Vikas Manch NGO. The Sikh community also remembered Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh American who was shot and killed in Mesa, Arizona, just four days after 9/11 in the first fatal hate crime following the attacks.
Avtar Singh’s decorated vehicle, featuring messages honoring 9/11, passes by Mayor Don Adams and other attendees during the Beavercreek Remembrance Ceremony / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh Gumtala
Members of the Sikh community stand with Beavercreek Mayor Don Adams / Photo courtesy- Sameep Singh GumtalaThe Beavercreek 9/11 Memorial features a 25-foot twisted steel beam that once stood between the 101st and 105th floors of the North Tower. The beam was brought to Beavercreek by local fire departments that assisted in rescue operations at Ground Zero as part of Ohio Task Force One.
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