Photos by Colin Jones
It’s one of those seminal events where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when it happened.
I was working as a Caltrans spokesperson in the San Francisco Bay Area when an early morning text came through: all flights nationwide have been grounded. Whoa, that sounds bad . . . but it turned out to be far worse.
Twenty-five years later I’m gathered at Fire Station #1 in San Luis Obispo on a sunny, warm Friday morning with dozens of locals to commemorate the anniversary of those heinous attacks in New York and D.C.
The beautiful memorial adjacent to the firehouse features a short metal beam from one of the collapsed World Trade Center buildings, flanked in a circle by 403 spires that represent every first responder who died that day. A few displays, plaques and planters adorn the site.
Several local officials, including Mayor Erica Stewart, attended the solemn, heartfelt annual event. She had relatives living in New York City that September day in 2001 and clearly remembers like it was yesterday the horror and angst she felt trying to reach out to them.
‘Today, we’re all New Yorkers,” proclaimed Stewart.
SLO Police Chief Rick Scott spoke about the daily sacrifices both law enforcement and firefighters make and their dedication to public service. “Our officers understand it’s not about them but this community they serve.”
Central Coast Pipes and Drums performed Taps and Amazing Grace while the SLO High School Chamber Singers serenaded the crowd with a wonderful version of America the Beautiful.
Following the ceremony, everyone in attendance placed a white rose on the metal beam to honor each of the 9/11 fallen heroes.
Overall, this community gathering gave attendees a much-needed opportunity to salute our brave first responders and come together, if only for a brief moment before moving on with their day.
I can’t imagine a more important “time-out.”