Pasadena Marks 9/11 With Solemn Ceremonies

Pasadena firefighters stand at attention at Fire Station 31 on South Fair Avenue during remembrance ceremony on 20th anniversary of 9/11. (Photo by Shirley Huang)

Community members observe a moment of silence at Fire Station 31's commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Shirely Huang)

Blair High School's JROTC during the sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin bows his head in a moment of silence during the sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Members of the Pasadena Police and Fire Department commemorate the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks during a sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

The Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Police and Fire Department commemorate the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks during a sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez, left, First Sgt. Ben Hicks, Tournament of Roses President Robert Miller and Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin during a sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Members of the Pasadena Police and Fire Department commemorate bow their heads in a moment of silence for those lives were lost in the 9/11 attacks during the sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

The US American flag is at half mast to commemorate the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks during the sunrise flag raising ceremony at the Tournament House in Pasadena, on September 11, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena marked the twentieth anniversary of America’s darkest day on Saturday with a small number of somber remembrances.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo addressed the city’s police and fire departments and a gathering of residents at Fire Station 31 on Fair Oaks Ave. during a 9/11 observance on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Councilmembers Felicia Williams and Gene Masuda were also in attendance. (Photo by Shirley Huang/Pasadena Now)

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo addressed the city’s police and fire departments and a gathering of residents at Fire Station 31, 135 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Across the city, all other fire stations held similar observations.

The city’s emergency dispatchers broadcast a short radio message as part of the remembrance ceremony.

All city flags flew at half-staff throughout the day, city officials said.

Earlier, the Tournament of Roses conducted a brief flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters at 391 S. Orange Grove Avenue

“Today we commend the heroic actions and courage of the rescue workers, firefighters, police officers and military personal who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero,” 2022 Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller said before the flag was raised to half-staff outside Tournament House in honor of 9/11 victims.

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez and Fire Chief Chad Augustin attended the ceremony.

The Blair High School Army JROTC Color Guard under the command of First Sergeant Ben Hicks served as color guard.

Mid-morning, the vandalized flagpole at the Pasadena Senior Center, which for more than a year prevented the Center from honoring this country and local veterans, was restored in a ceremony that paid tribute to those who died in the Twin Towers, to first responders, and to military veterans.

The public ceremony at the Center, 85 E. Holly St., saw the damaged pulley system on the Center’s flagpole replaced by Pasadena firefighters using a hook-and-ladder fire truck.

Augustine Grube, commander of American Legion Post 13 in Pasadena, presented a new American flag donated by the post. Boy Scouts from Troop 351 in San Marino helped mount the flag and after it was raised, led those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Senior Center Center Executive Director Akila Gibbs said Saturday was the right time to “dedicate this new flag and to acknowledge 9/11 and to acknowledge our first responders and our military.”

References:

Pasadena Leaders Remember the City’s Reaction to 9/11 Attacks

At Pasadena Senior Center, 9/11 Commemorated With Restoration of Vandalized Flagpole

Pasadenans David and Lynn Angell, Killed in the Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks, Remembered As A Kind, Loving and Generous Couple

Guest Essay | Ann Erdman: Remembering America’s Darkest Day of the 21st Century