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Hart will host a 10-year memorial service on his 9/11 Memorial Trail on Sept. 11, 2011.

Retired University of Georgia professor Bob Hart will be among many Americans pausing next week to remember the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But, he’ll likely be the only one hosting an event at his own 9/11 Memorial Trail in Athens.

Hart, who retired from the College of Education in 2002, taught in the department of instructional technology and was director of the college’s Center for Educational Technology.

After visiting New York City in October 2001, Hart was inspired to start the 300-yard trail to insure that the ‘heartbreak’ of America would never be forgotten. The trail is lined with 99 poles, each of which holding 16 wooden boards with hand-painted names of 9/11 victims.

Since 2006, there have been a number of changes made to the trail. The New York City sculpture is now granite, instead of wood with the help of Smith Brothers Memorial Company from Oglethorpe County.  There are also a number of granite benches around the trail, four angel statues overlooking the trail in each cardinal direction and sculptures near the benches have been replaced with paintings. The entrance of the trail now has gourd birdhouses instead of ferns.

On the fifth anniversary of the attacks, more than 200 people visited Hart’s trail. He hopes a similar sized crowd will show up for the event’s 10th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at 320 Morton Farm Lane in Athens. The ceremony will last about 25 minutes.

In 2002 and 2006, David Matthews Morgan directed the choir that led visitors to the Trail in song. This year he will do the same. Anyone interested in joining the official choir may contact Morgan at dmsquare@gmail.com.

Anyone not able to physically walk the Trail, may walk the Trail online or show it to your friends at www.bobhartart.com.

Breaking news: Reminder and program posted.