PARKERSBURG - A number of programs are being held throughout the area Friday to mark the eighth anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Students at Parkersburg High School will hold a Sept. 11 memorial at 7:30 a.m. Friday in remembrance of the lives lost to the terrorist attacks in 2001, which occurred in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

The ceremony has become an annual event for the school and a way to honor the memories of those lost during the Sept. 11 attacks. Parkersburg native Mary Lou Hague, a 1992 PHS graduate, was working as a research analyst on the 89th floor in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center when terrorists flew a plane into the building.

Principal Ralph Board said Friday's ceremony will be held at the flag pole in front of the school and is sponsored by the Parkersburg High School Student Council. Students can begin gathering at 7 a.m. and student council members will distribute ribbons.

There will be speakers and members of the Parkersburg Police Department, Parkersburg Fire Department, the Wood County Sheriff's Department and the West Virginia State Police are expected to attend the event, Board said. The ceremony is open to the public. The fire department will hang a large flag from its ladder truck.

The PHS Navy Junior ROTC will perform a presentation of colors and other school groups will also participate in the ceremony, Board said.

In another local event, West Virginia University at Parkersburg is holding a program at 10 a.m. Friday on the campus, said Anthony Underwood, vice president of student services at the college.

The program will be held outdoors in front of the President's Entrance at WVU-P, Underwood said. College president Marie Foster Gnage and other speakers are expected to participate.

Underwood said the event is being organized by the student government at part of the "Troops Week" from today through Friday on the WVU-P campus. Today's activities will include "Support the Troops" T-shirt giveaways and static displays, including a military helicopter, he said. There will be a cookout for invited veterans and the college community on Wednesday and support bracelets will be given out Thursday, Underwood said.

The Ripley Baptist Temple will hold its eighth annual remembrance event at noon Friday on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse in Ripley, said Matt Perrine, assistant pastor.

The program will include a flag ceremony, a 21-gun salute, patriotic music, an address by Ripley Mayor Carolyn Rader, the playing of taps and other activities with local veteran, military and emergency service groups. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Ripley Baptist Temple Auditorium at the corner of Third Avenue and Charleston Drive in Ripley.