CORONA (CNS) – Cities throughout western Riverside County will mark
the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks today with flag
ceremonies, patriotic reflections and other commemorative events.
In Corona, volunteers on Thursday gathered at the Historic Civic
Center on Sixth Street, where miniature flags were erected in rows, with each
flag representing one of the 2,977 people killed as a result of the acts of
terrorism perpetrated by Islamist radicals who hijacked four planes.
Beginning about 5 a.m. Sunday, members of the Circle City Rotary Club
and other volunteers will begin reading each victim’s name while standing among
the flags.
“We will pause for 21 seconds at 5:46 a.m. when American Airlines
Flight 11 hit the first tower in New York City, again at 6:03 a.m. when United
Airlines Flight 175 hit the second tower, 6:37 a.m. when American Airlines
Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, and 7:03 a.m. when United Airlines Flight 93
crashed into Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after the passengers aboard realized
their fate and rushed the front of the plane, causing the terrorists to loose
control and crash,” the rotary said.
All the times represent the three-hour difference between the west and
east coasts.
There will be a color guard ceremony and brief remarks by city
officials during the service.
“We will continue reading (victims’) names until we finish announcing
each person,” the rotary said.
The service is expected to continue until 10 a.m.
Temecula’s anniversary commemorative service will begin at 4 p.m. at
the Duck Pond, near the corner of Rancho California and Ynez roads.
“As we reflect on Sept. 11 and the events that transcended the world
21 years ago, we will never forget the innocent lives lost, including our
courageous first responders,” Temecula Mayor Matt Rahn said.
Rahn will lead the remembrance service, during which there will be a
moment of silence and remarks by other City Council members, as well as public
safety officials.
In Murrieta, a tribute is planned at 6 p.m. in Town Square Park, near
Kalmia Street and Jefferson Avenue.
“The city will pay respects to those who perished that day with an
observance ceremony,” according to a city statement.
Mayor Jonathan Ingram is slated to lead the service, joined by other
city representatives.
In the past, Riverside held a “Day of Service,” with neighborhood
cleanups, blood drives and other similar activities, to mark the anniversary of
9/11. However, city spokesman Phil Pitchford said nothing was scheduled this
year, for reasons unstated.
Last year, for the 20th anniversary commemoration, the city premiered
the documentary “9/11: One City Remembers,” featuring archival video,
photographs shown publicly for the first time and interviews with members of
Riverside County Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 6.
The task force firefighters, mostly from Riverside, spent 11 days at
Ground Zero in the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse.
“It’s a truly revealing look behind the scenes as the team, faced
with stark realities and painful visages, is still buoyed by a grateful people
throughout,” producer Tim Roche said of the film.
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