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Organizations from the University of North Georgia (²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ) will hold several events on its campuses and online to remember and reflect on Sept. 11, 2001, and its importance in U.S. history.

is an opportunity for faculty, students and staff to help pack thousands of meals for the local community. The event will be held at the Convocation Center at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Dahlonega Campus and runs from 2-7 p.m. Sept. 4. Those who want to help can pick one of four shifts: 2-3 p.m., 3:45-4:45 p.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m. for meal packing or 6:30-7 p.m. for cleanup.

"We were honored to receive the 911Day.org grant to help host our second Feed the Funnel event at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ," Mallory Rodriguez, director of student leadership, said. "Honoring 9/11 through service is a powerful way to remember the unity and resilience that emerged from tragedy. By dedicating ourselves to doing good for our community, we ensure that the legacy of those lost lives on in the positive impact we make in our north Georgia community."

The Nighthawk 9/11 Challenge is an individual virtual challenge of climbing 2,071 stairs, representing the 110 floors of the Twin Towers. Participants can be complete the climb between Sept. 4 and Sept. 11. After registering , participants will receive a confirmation email with a link where they report their completed challenge details and receive a commemorative sticker.

"On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, our nation was attacked, and we would later find ourselves involved in the Global War on Terrorism," retired Lt. Col. James Thomasson, assistant commandant of cadets, said. "It is important that we recognize the significance of this day for a couple of reasons. First, as service members of the armed forces, it reminds us of why we train to fight and win our Nation's battles. We fully dedicate ourselves to protect the freedom and rights that we all enjoy. It is also important that we honor those who lost their lives during the attacks on 9/11. We must never forget the civilian lives that were lost and families that endured the tragic news of losing their loved ones."   

Each of the five ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ campuses will host a Nighthawk 9/11 Remembrance Walk on Sept. 11. The one-mile walk will be a time of reflection and remembrance. Participants will receive a commemorative sticker. 

• Dahlonega: Rec Center, 9-10 a.m.
• Gainesville: Hugh Mills, 9-10 a.m.
• Oconee: Quad, 9-10 a.m.
• Cumming: Lobby, 9-10 a.m.
• Blue Ridge: Lobby, noon to 1 p.m.

The 9/11 Remembrance Vigil will be on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Dahlonega Campus at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11.

Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, senior vice president and superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy, will serve as the keynote speaker for the vigil.

Throughout his distinguished military career, Terry commanded at every level from rifle platoon leader to theater army. He has led soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines from multiple nations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. He was one of three ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ alumni to command Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational coalition of military forces with the mission to defeat the Islamic State in parts of Iraq and Syria. After retiring from the U.S. Army in January 2016 at the rank of lieutenant general, he transition