Remembrance Ceremonies Held Across LA County For 25th Anniversary Of 9/11

LOS ANGELES, CA — Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore joined other public safety officials Friday at the LAFD's 25th annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, one of several events across the county marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The ceremony at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center also includee LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and Los Angeles County Fire Deputy Chief Robert Harris.

The ceremony included the ringing of the "10-Bells," bagpipers and a helicopter flyover.

Moore spoke to the crowd during the event, noting the work of dozens of LAFD members who traveled to Ground Zero in New York for the search-and- rescue operations.

"Your service mattered, and we know it came with a price," Moore said. "Some of you are still dealing with the health consequences from that exposure. Others carry things that are difficult to put into words.

"We have not forgotten. Sept. 11 changed the fire service," he said.

Other observances were held Friday at schools, fire stations, city halls and memorials throughout the county.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Andrés E. Chait joined students and staff at Pacoima Middle School for a ceremony that included performances by the Pacoima Singers and a walk-by reflection display featuring hundreds of American flags.

In Malibu, Pepperdine University held its annual Waves of Flags commemoration at Alumni Park, where nearly 3,000 flags were displayed — one for each victim of the attacks, including national flags representing foreign countries whose citizens were killed.

The Waves of Flags tradition was started by Pepperdine students in 2008. Senior Vice Chancellor Hung Le and students are expected to participate in Friday's ceremony.

FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy joined FBI employees, former special agents and other guests for a remembrance ceremony at the FBI's Los Angeles offices.

The ceremony honored the victims of the attacks and those who served. During the week leading up to the anniversary, FBI Los Angeles employees participated in a Memorial Stair Climb honoring firefighters who climbed the World Trade Center stairwells during the attacks and a Walk of Honor in which participants completed 2,977 laps around the federal building, one for each person killed on 9/11.

The FBI also held a blood drive with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and American Red Cross as part of the anniversary observances.

The ceremonies marked a quarter-century since 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners on Sept. 11, 2001, carrying out the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.

Two planes struck the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both towers to collapse, while a third struck the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members attempted to regain control from the hijackers.

A total of 2,977 victims were killed, including 343 New York City firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers and 23 New York police officers.

The attacks led to sweeping changes in U.S. aviation security and foreign policy and prompted the United States to launch military operations in Afghanistan less than a month later.

In Santa Monica, firefighters, city officials and public safety personnel gathered at Fire Station 1 for the city's annual remembrance ceremony. The station is home to a steel artifact recovered from the World Trade Center site that is permanently displayed outside the Fire Department's community room.

Hermosa Beach held its annual remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony at the city's 9/11 Memorial, where the Greenbelt meets Pier Avenue.

Mayor Mike Detoy and community members delivered remarks, while the Hermosa Beach Police Department Honor Guard and Scouts Troop 860 posted the colors. Elected officials and police and fire representatives placed wreaths at the memorial, which includes a piece of steel recovered from Ground Zero.

In San Gabriel, firefighters and police officers gathered at Fire Station 51, for a ceremony that included a procession, flag ceremony and traditional bell tribute. Miniature American flags bearing the names of fallen first responders will line the station's front lawn.

The ceremony was coordinated with the Verdugo Fire Communications Center, allowing fire stations throughout the San Gabriel Valley to participate in a regional tribute. A moment of silence was held at 6:59 a.m., followed by a final bell tribute at 7:02 a.m.

The Alhambra Fire Department held a ceremony at Fire Station 71, featuring the posting of colors by the Alhambra Police Department Honor Guard, an invocation and tolling of the bell.

At 9:11 a.m., student cadets from Southeast Academy High School led a ceremony at John Glenn High School Football Stadium in Norwalk. The event included a student-led flag-folding ceremony, remarks by Southeast Academy Program Director Master Sgt. Marty Schafer and a performance of the national anthem by Southeast Academy alumnus, Marine Corps veteran and R&B singer- songwriter Elliott McKenzie.

Carson will hold a 25th anniversary tribute from 4 to 6 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot, 701 E. Carson St. Acting Assistant Fire Chief Wade Kelsey will deliver the keynote address, and the city will recognize a dozen local residents for community service.

In Beverly Hills, Friday evening will also mark the beginning of Rosh Hashana at the Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.

Jill Pila, whose husband, Jim Gartenberg, was killed at the World Trade Center, will speak during an 8 p.m. service with Rabbi David Baron. Pila's daughter, Nicole Gartenberg Pila, who was 2 1/2 years old when her father was killed, will accompany her.

And a day after the anniversary, first responders and their families will gather Saturday at the Rose Bowl, where an on-field flag ceremony before UCLA's 4:15 p.m. football game against San Diego State will honor those who responded to the Sept. 11 attacks.

City News Service