Anniversary of 9/11
CORONA – Cities throughout western Riverside County Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with flag ceremonies, patriotic reflections and other commemorative events.
In Corona, a remembrance service began at 5 a.m. in the Historic Civic Center at 815 W. Sixth St., where Corona Chamber of Commerce and Corona Rotary Club officials were joined by city representatives and others to stand among miniature flags representing the 2,977 people killed as a result of the acts of terrorism perpetrated by Islamist radicals who hijacked four airliners.
Over a roughly three-hour period, attendees read the names of all those confirmed killed.
Moments of silence acknowledged the exact times when federal officials say American Airlines Flight 11 hit the first tower in New York City, when United Airlines Flight 175 hit the second tower, when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon, and when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after the passengers rushed the cockpit in an attempt to thwart the terrorists from continuing to their target in Washington, D.C.
Mt. San Jacinto College held a “tribute to brave heroes who risked their lives to save others,” according to a campus statement.
“We will also remember the innocent victims who lost their lives,” the college said.
The commemoration featured the unveiling of “a 9/11 artifact from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” as well as a Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard ceremony and a display of a flag bearing the names of victims.
“Steve Silva, 9/11 survivor, shared his experiences being in one of the towers on Sept. 11, 2001.”
Monday evening., the city of Temecula held a commemorative service at the Duck Pond, near the corner of Rancho California and Ynez roads.
“It was “an evening of reflection on the anniversary of September 11th, as we honor those who gave their lives to serve and protect,” according to a city statement.
Mayor Zak Schwank lead the service, which included a moment of silence and remarks by other City Council members, as well as possibly public safety officials.
Mayor Lisa DeForest led the Murrieta evening tribute in Town Square Park.
In the past, the city of Riverside held a “Day of Service,” with neighborhood cleanups, blood drives and other similar activities, to mark the anniversary of 9/11, but no services were planned this year in the county seat, according to spokesman Phil Pitchford.
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