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(CBS) BARRINGTON It's been almost five years since September 11. Memorial events are already underway leading up to Monday’s anniversary.
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 There will be somber memorials, moments of silence, tears and tributes. The nation along with Chicago is spending the weekend honoring the thousands who died in the attack on American soil.

CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports from a ceremony in suburban Barrington, where an all-day celebration is also honoring military families.

The purpose of the festival is to honor U.S. troops with live entertainment, great food, and a number of activities for them and their families.

It started at noon Saturday in the parking lot of the Barrington Metra train station and it runs until 10 p.m.

There have been military band performances and other acts, as well as military equipment on display for all the kids to see.

There's also a climbing wall for the children and a video message center where families can record greetings to their loved ones fighting overseas.

As a special guest, the organizers invited a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, who told people about his experience rescuing victims that day.

“We were under threat of another attack. They thought there was at least another plane in the air and that interrupted our ability to go in and rescue more people,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Yantis.

“By coming to the festival tonight, they will know that they will have made a difference. They will know that the troops knew that they were here and that Chicagoland truly stands behind them,” said festival organizer Dirk Beveridge.

This is only the beginning of numerous activates and celebrations around the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

On Sunday at 9:30 a.m., there will be a Chicago Freedom Walk to honor the victims of 9/11 and our troops at Soldier Field's north lawn.

Then at 2:30 p.m., a monument honoring police and firefighters will be unveiled in Hammond, Ind.

And on Monday, the day of the anniversary itself, churches in Chicago will ring bells at 7:46 a.m., the time when the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Copyright © 2006. CBS2