A community remembers 9/11

Molly Shore

On the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the

Burbank community will get the opportunity to pause and reflect.

Several observances commemorating Sept. 11, 2001 -- designated as

Patriot Day in the U.S. -- will take place throughout the city

Thursday.

The Burbank City Council will observe the day with “A Time to

Remember, a 7 a.m. ceremony on the front steps of the Burbank Police

and Fire headquarters at the corner of Third Street and Orange Grove

Avenue.

Because last year’s local observance of Patriot Day offered solace

to so many people, City Manager Mary Alvord said it was important to

reprise.

“It’s a way to feel centered and as a community recommit to the

values that America stands for,” Alvord said. “For all of us, it’s

still a very fresh memory that I just don’t think we should walk away

from.”

Police Chief Tom Hoefel, Assistant Fire Chief Norm Stockton, World

War II veteran Frederick D. “Dusty” Worthen and Mayor Stacy Murphy

each will place wreaths at the base of the Guardians sculpture in

front of the building.

The ceremony will include a tolling of the fire department bell

and a moment of silence along with patriotic readings and songs.

The occasion will close with Nicholson Pipes and Drums playing

“Amazing Grace,” followed by the release of 100 white doves.

“We’re hoping that it’s a wonderful community event that people

will attend before they go to work or take the kids to school,” said

Recreation Supervisor Kristen Smith, a member of the city’s Patriot

Day coordinating committee.

A second ceremony beginning at 9:10 a.m. will be at Memorial Field

on the campus of John Burroughs High School, 1920 Clark Ave. Burbank

Police Capt. Janice Lowers and Fire Capt. Jess Talamantes, both

Burroughs alumni, will be recognized for dedicating their lives to

public service, Principal Emilio Urioste said.

Families are invited to attend “A Celebration of Freedom” from 7

to 8 p.m. outdoors at the Buena Vista Library, 300 N. Buena Vista

St.

Burbank Police Officer Dan Turpin will lead the audience in the

pledge of allegiance, followed by the husband-and- wife team of Ron

Daigh and Sandii Castleberry-Daigh singing patriotic songs.

“What [the city] decided was it would begin the day with a

ceremony and end the day with a celebration,” library assistant Joan

Cappocchi said.