Public safety agencies and communities across Southern California commemorated the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Thursday, including an annual remembrance ceremony featuring bagpipers, a helicopter flyover and the ringing of "10-Bells" in Elysian Park.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva of the Los Angeles Fire Department joined Mayor Karen Bass, County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell and Sheriff Robert Luna, among other elected officials and distinguished guests, for the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the LAFD's Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, 1700 Stadium Way at 9 a.m.
"Since 2002, this ceremony allowed for all of us to gather and honor the memory of those lost and also salute the bravery of those who responded in the face of tragedy," Bass said.
"On this day, 24 years ago, the unimaginable occurred. Each of us recalls where we were the day the news broke here in Los Angeles, we felt a unique shock and grief that day," she added.
With the backdrop, the mayor emphasized that they also witnessed communities together in the wake of tragedy. Members of the LAFD, alongside other first responders across the nation, rose to serve the country hours after the attack.
"Members of the LAFD Urban Search and Rescue Task Force headed to Ground Zero with one mission in mind: To serve," Bass said.
She reiterated that 9/11 is a day to honor the lives lost, and also those who protect our cities and our country.
Villanueva echoed the mayor's sentiments, adding that "We promised then and we promised now that we will never forget that morning between the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the heroic passengers of flight 93.
"Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost. Families were shattered. Communities were broken and the nation was shaken," Villanueva said. "Yet in that darkness, we also saw the extraordinary courage."
"From 24 years ago to today, the words and thoughts of those who were there continue to resonate with us," he added.
McDonnell uplifted the courage of first responders who rushed into danger and saved lives on that day. He added that their courage "remains a guide for all of us in public service."
Villanueva and McDonnell rang "10-Bells," a solemn tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders on that day.
Meanwhile, in the Antelope Valley, County Supervisor and Board Chair Kathryn Barger joined residents and first responders for a remembrance event she co-hosted with the Antelope Valley 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Governance Board. The event also took place at 9 a.m. at the Antelope Valley Mall main entrance, 1233 W. Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale.
All L.A. County departments were expected to fly the U.S. and county flags at half-staff to honor the lives lost in the terrorist attacks. On Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Barger to proclaim Sept. 11, 2025, as "Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance."
"The tragedy of September 11th will remain forever engraved in our hearts and minds," Barger said in a statement. "That terrible day is a solemn reminder of the fragility of life, the courage of first responders and the resilience of our country. As we mark 9/11's 24th anniversary, I urge everyone in Los Angeles County to reflect on the lives lost and honor their memory by engaging in acts of service that strengthen our communities."
Throughout the region, additional events were scheduled to take place to honor victims and first responders, including the following:
-- The San Gabriel Fire Department hosted its annual 9/11 Remembrance and Tribute Ceremony, featuring a display of mini flags on the station's front lawn, each bearing the name of a fallen responder, and a march and tribute by the Verdugo Fire Communications Center Dispatch, at the San Gabriel Fire Station 51, 1303 S. Del Mar Ave.;
-- Hermosa Beach hosted its annual 9/11 Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony, featuring remarks by Mayor Rob Saemann and other guests, an Honor Guard's Posting of the Colors, ceremonial music and a moment of silence at the Hermosa Beach 9/11 Memorial, at the intersection of Greenbelt and Pier Avenue;
-- L.A. Works -- Los Angeles' largest volunteer action center -- marked the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance with a volunteer event supporting veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd.
-- Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Police Chief Wally Hebeish and Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan took part in a memorial ceremony in honor of those who died in the terror attack, which included a moment of silence, a Last Alarm tribute and ceremonial wreath placement at Fire Station 1, 100 Magnolia Ave.
-- American Legion Post 283 will hold a reception marking the end of the Shepherd's Men 9/11 Tribute Ruck March, a 22-mile journey through Los Angeles carrying symbolic waste "in a profound gesture of remembrance," scheduled at 3 p.m. at 15247 La Cruz Drive in Pacific Palisades;
-- Concluding the day's events, Jewish congregants at Sinai Temple will hear from a group of Muslim leaders from Egypt, Morocco and Bahrain discussing their "shared commitment to peace as war continues to rage on in Gaza nearly two years after Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel." The LAFD will also be honored during the event, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd.
In Orange County, several events were also held, including the following:
-- The Orange County Fire Authority hosted a ceremony featuring an honor guard and bell ringing ceremony, which was live-streamed on Facebook and held at the Regional Fire Operations and Training Center, 1 Fire Authority Road, in Irvine;
-- Laguna Beach first responders and city officials hosted a ceremony at Monument Point in Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive;
-- The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda hosted its annual remembrance ceremony, featuring remarks by Sheriff Don Barnes, OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy and retired Marine Lt. Col. Grant Williams, and music performances at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok