Southern California commemorates 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks with regional tributes
LAFD holds 9/11 remembrance ceremony
Commemorations include civic tributes, student displays featuring thousands of flags, bell tollings, and a special honors ceremony ahead of Saturday's UCLA football game.
LOS ANGELES - Public safety officials, community leaders, and residents across Southern California will gather on Friday for a series of memorial ceremonies marking 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The region-wide commemorations feature honor guards, bell tributes, flag displays, and public reflections honoring the 2,977 victims killed in the deadliest attack on American soil.
Local perspective:
Public safety officials, community leaders, and residents across Southern California gathered on Friday for a series of memorial ceremonies marking 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The region-wide commemorations featured honor guards, bell tributes, flag displays, and public reflections honoring the 2,977 victims killed in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
The central ceremony in Los Angeles took place at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center.
Mayor Karen Bass and LAFD Chief Jaime Moore joined LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, and LA County Fire Deputy Chief Robert Harris for the 25th annual LAFD Remembrance Ceremony.
The observance included bagpipers, a helicopter flyover, and the traditional ringing of the "10-Bells."
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The observances stem from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in which 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, striking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and crashing in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Civic, educational, and federal organizations across the region held parallel observances throughout the day. LAUSD Superintendent Andrés E. Chait joined students and staff at Pacoima Middle School for a ceremony featuring performances by the Pacoima Singers and a walk-by reflection display of hundreds of American flags.
At Pepperdine University in Malibu, the annual student-founded Waves of Flags commemoration displayed nearly 3,000 flags at Alumni Park, including national flags for foreign citizens killed in the attacks.
The FBI’s Los Angeles offices held a ceremony led by Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy following a week of tributes.
FBI employees participated in a Memorial Stair Climb honoring World Trade Center firefighters, a blood drive with the Red Cross and VA, and a 2,977-lap Walk of Honor around the federal building.
Early morning station observances began at 6:45 a.m. at San Gabriel Fire Station 51, where miniature flags bearing the names of fallen first responders lined the lawn.
Coordinated with the Verdugo Fire Communications Center for a valleywide tribute, the event featured a moment of silence at 6:59 a.m. and a final bell tribute at 7:02 a.m. Santa Monica Fire Station 1 held its annual ceremony alongside its permanent World Trade Center steel artifact, while Hermosa Beach Mayor Mike Detoy and local groups laid wreaths at the city's 9/11 Memorial.
Additional morning services occurred at Alhambra Fire Station 71 and John Glenn High School in Norwalk, where student cadets led a flag-folding ceremony.
Big picture view:
The historical event stems from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in which 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, striking the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and crashing in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The fatalities included 343 New York City firefighters, 37 Port Authority police officers, and 23 New York police officers.
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The attacks prompted major reforms in global aviation security and led to military operations in Afghanistan.
What they're saying:
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore addressed the crowd at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, highlighting the dozens of LAFD members who deployed to Ground Zero in 2001 for search-and-rescue efforts.
"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.
Packing meals on this day of service and remembrance
On Friday, more than 1,000 volunteers from throughout Los Angeles will come together at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center to pack more than 400,000 meals for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as part of 9/11 Day's National Day of Service and Remembrance.
During the Norwalk student ceremony, Southeast Academy Program Director Master Sgt. Marty Schafer delivered remarks, while alumnus, Marine Corps veteran, and R&B singer-songwriter Elliott McKenzie performed the national anthem.
What's next:
Friday's observances continue into the evening.
The city of Carson will hold a 25th anniversary tribute in the City Hall parking lot featuring keynote speaker Acting Assistant Fire Chief Wade Kelsey and recognizing a dozen local residents for community service. In Beverly Hills, an 8 p.m.
Rosh Hashana service at the Saban Theatre with Rabbi David Baron will feature remarks from Jill Pila, widow of World Trade Center victim Jim Gartenberg, accompanied by her daughter Nicole Gartenberg Pila.
Countywide public safety departments are maintaining open access to various memorial sites throughout the weekend for individual reflection.
On Saturday afternoon, commemorations transition to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where local first responders and their families will be recognized on the field prior to UCLA's 4:15 p.m. football game against San Diego State.
The Source: This report combines initial regional planning announcements with direct coverage of Friday's completed anniversary ceremonies across Los Angeles County. Information was gathered from official statements, event itineraries, public addresses by local leaders and fire officials, and direct on-site statements provided by public safety agencies, school districts, and municipal authorities. City News Service contributed.