‘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.