UPDATED to include partial listing of events today

The Executive Director of the Summit County Victims Assistance Program says remembering the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks really hits home with him.

Reverend Bob Denton says he was asked to come to New York City on September 11th, 2001 to help those who were working at Ground Zero.

This was a first for the National Organization of Victims Assistance Programs, helping first responders deal with their pain and suffering. In 2011, it's something that we all take for granted. But, back in 2001, it was new technology.

Reverend Denton says dealing with victims was psychological in nature back in 2001. Ten years later, Reverend Denton says the response in helping victims of crimes or other disasters is now more social in nature.

The most difficult problem Reverend Denton says he had to deal with 10 years ago was to have first responders separate their professional duties from their personal feelings.

Plus, Reverend Denton says 9/11 showed professionals how important a faith based alterative was was in dealing with a disaster of this magnitude. Now, Reverend Denton says Victims Assistance programs routinely use faith based efforts.

Denton is one of several church leaders participating in a non-denominational service Sunday afternoon at 4:00 at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairlawn.

Akron, Canton, Alliance, Fairlawn, Kent -- all joining cities, towns and others holding remembrances ahead of Sunday's 10th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

Akron's official ceremony Sunday includes dedication of the baseball field at Reservoir Park, Goodyear Heights in honor of Marine Corporal Derek Wyatt. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in December 2010; he was a 2004 graduate of East High School and a member of the football team.

Most law enforcement, security experts, government planners and others agree that the nation is better prepared to prevent terrorism than we were ten years ago.  Memories, however, tend to fade over time and that's why Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander is reminding people that the fight is not over.

Alexander says that in the first days, weeks and months following the events of September 11, 2001, his office received tips regularly of suspicious people or activities.  While none of the calls he received amounted to terrorist activities, they sometimes resulted in arrests on outstanding warrants or other matters.

"We've kind of gotten back to being a little lax," said Alexander.  "We're not as vigilant as we were right after that.  Maybe we need to kick-start it again and get people to start thinking about these things."

Alexander says his office continues to offer citizen training events that were started because of the terrorist attacks.