Burbank ceremony recalls horror of 9/11, honors bravery
More than a hundred people gathered in Burbank Sunday morning to give tribute to those who died, honor the sacrifices made and share memories of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The 10th anniversary ceremony at City Hall began at 8 a.m. with a prayer, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.
Mayor Jess Talamantes shared how proud he was to have served as a firefighter in Burbank.
“9/11 really hit home for me,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine that was happening; not in America.”
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) remembered heading to the Capitol building shortly after learning airplanes had struck the World Trade Center. At the time, he said he was unaware that a third plane, Flight 93, had crashed in rural Pennsylvania, unable to reach its intended target due to the actions of the passengers aboard.
“When I think of the bravery that day, I’m left in awe,” said Schiff, who presented Fire Chief Ray Krakowski with a flag that flew over the Capitol on Sept. 11, 2005.
Drivers passing by on Olive Street honked in support upon seeing the large American flag, nearly as tall as the trees, attached to an extended ladder of a Burbank fire engine.
Among those who attended were Boy Scouts from Troop 210 of the Verdugo Hills Council and Pack 212.
A mother of one of the scouts, Cecilia Nazarian of Altadena, said it was important that troop members were there. “It’s part of being American and being a boy scout,” she said.
Cub Master Guadalupe Schubert of Glendale agreed.
The Burbank resident said she was heading to work in Fontana when she heard the news.
“I cried all the way,” she said.
Sister Regina Palamara of St. Finbar School was in New York at the time of the attacks, and recalled the ensuing panic, sorrow and devastation.
Burbank Police Chaplain Peter Eirich closed with another prayer.
“We the nation join arm in arm and rededicate ourselves to rebuild that which was destroyed,” he said. “We work as guardians to swear and stand to defend the innocent, liberate the oppressed and preserve our freedom.”