Dozens gathered in Rancho Cucamonga Sunday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.
At Central Park’s Freedom Courtyard, where the city hopes to one day build a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, a somber crowd gathered to join the Fire District and Police Department in reflecting on the tragedy more than two decades later.
World Trade Center remnants the city has collected over the years were on display, and a reading of “The Last Alarm” took attendees back in time to that moment in U.S. history.
Firefighter Chaplain Timothy Eddy says a prayer during the 9/11 ceremony in Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A section of what will be installed in the permanent memorial to 9/11 in Central Park’s Freedom Courtyard by the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department stands on display in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Residents of Rancho Cucamonga community wait for the 9/11 ceremony to begin in Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department rings the bell during the 9/11 ceremony in remembrance of fellow firefighters in New York who did not make it home in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022.(Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A piece of the Pentagon that was brought back to Rancho Cucamonga by firefighter Kevin Hoit sits on display in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department stand in formation during the 9/11 ceremony at Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Taps is played during the ceremony in Central Park in honor of the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives on 9/11 in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Dennis Michael, the mayor of Rancho Cucamonga, speaks at the 9/11 ceremony in Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A member in the audience at the 9/11 ceremony in Central Park videos the Chaplain of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department saying a prayer in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
On display at the Central Park 9/11 ceremony are pieces of the airplane, flight 77, that was highjacked and crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Rancho Cucamonga Battalion Chief Rick Snawder and Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Dennis Michael stand to salute the American flag during the Pledge of Allegiance at Central Park ceremony in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters Pipes and Drums members march at the start of the 9/11 ceremony in Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
A mother and son embrace during the 9/11 ceremony at Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
Rancho Cucamonga Battalion Chief Rick Snawder stands during the playing of Taps in Central Park to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. (Photo by Stephanie E’amato, Contributing Photographer)
The morning also included a pipes and drums performance.
The ceremony in Rancho Cucamonga was one of several planned across the Inland Empire on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack. From moments of silence to the ringing of bells, community members gathered Sunday for ceremonies of remembrance from Ontario to Temecula to Jurupa Valley.
Rancho Cucamonga intends to build a 9/11 Memorial Park adjacent to the new Fire Station 178 where remnants from the three sites of the attack — steel from the World Trade Center in New York City, pieces of Flight 93 and a chunk of the wall from the Pentagon — can be displayed permanently.
Donations are being accepted for the $1.5 million project. To learn more, visit CityofRC.us/911MemorialProject online.
English
Filipino
Spanish