‘The spirit ... will prevail’
Molly Shore
Hundreds turned out across Burbank on Thursday for somber Patriot Day
ceremonies marking the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
Men, women and children preparing to go to work and school
postponed their usual morning routines to attend “A Time to
Remember,” the city’s 7 a.m. observance on the corner of Orange Grove
Avenue and 3rd Street in front of Police and Fire headquarters.
An estimated 400 people attended the event, including Corielle
Lopez and her 2-year-old son, Erick. Although the youngster could not
understand the significance of the occasion, Lopez said that it was
important for her to be there.
“I lost a cousin in the towers, so this is how I come and pay
tribute to her,” Lopez said.
The ceremony began with a processional by uniformed members of the
city’s Police and Fire departments, accompanied by the plaintive wail
of bagpipes played by members of the Nicholson Pipe and Drums.
In her remarks, Mayor Stacey Murphy remembered those who perished
during the attacks, as well as those who have since been killed in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Freedom comes at a price, and tragically, that price sometimes
means a bearing of arms,” Murphy told those in attendance.
The program included patriotic readings by Police Commissioner
Brooks Gardner and a musical tribute by the John Burroughs High
School choir. Cliff Bemis received hearty applause following his
rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Murphy, Police Chief Thomas Hoefel, Assistant Fire Chief Norm
Stockton and Veterans’ Committee member Dusty Worthen placed wreaths
at the base of “The Guardians” statue. As the hour-long ceremony
ended, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace,” and 100 white doves were
released.
At a mid-morning ceremony at John Burroughs High School, Principal
Emilio Urioste told students and guests that Americans have grown
stronger and more resilient since the attacks.
“We know that against all odds, the spirit of the American people
will prevail,” Urioste said.
The school choir and marching band provided patriotic music, and
Associated Student Body President Chris Contreras presented pins to
Burbank Police Capt. Janice Lowers and Fire Capt. Jess Talamantes,
both Burroughs alumni.
“It’s sad to think of all the people who died,” sophomore Nichelle
Whitfield said. “So many all at once.”
Other local observances took place on school playgrounds, and
Jefferson Elementary School was the site of an all-scout flag
ceremony.
A musical tribute of patriotic songs was headlined by
husband-and-wife duo Sandii Castleberry-Daigh and Ron Daigh at the
Buena Vista Branch Library on Thursday night.
To commemorate the anniversary, Burbank-Glen- dale-Pasadena
Airport workers wore red, white and blue ribbons purchased by the
Airport Authority, said Lucy Burghdorf, the airport’s community
relations manager.