Patriot Day honors 9-11 sacrifices

Mothers, fathers and their children came dressed in red, white and blue in support of their country and the victims of the attacks, and were joined by students from Mariposa Elementary School, sitting in groups around the courtyard near the front of City Hall.

Lancaster resident Michael Cortese, who lived in New York for 28 years, said he came to the ceremony to remember the events of Sept. 11 and because he feels sorrow over the attacks of a year ago.

"We also want to be part of the unification of everyone coming together to console each other" and "perhaps make us feel a little better about ourselves and each other."

Cortese brought his daughter Maria with him. They visited the World Trade Center before the attacks and said they can identify with the tremendous sense of loss.

Vicky Vogel, a third-grade teacher from Mariposa school, brought the children to City Hall following a separate ceremony at the school. They came because of the importance of the day and to be a part of the city's ceremony.

Student Miranda Borders, 8, said seeing the devastation from the attacks made her sad. As for what she hopes people learn from the tragedy, Borders said people should care for all of those who have passed away.

Alexandria Rankin, 7, said Sept. 11 means "a whole lot" to her "because I like America very much." Seeing the effects of the attacks made her sad and scared, she added.

Jacqueline Hernandez, 7, said Sept. 11 means to remember those who died.

The ceremony opened with two songs from the El Dorado Elementary School Honor Choir. The children, dressed in black pants, white shirts and red ties, sang "I Will Care for You" and "God Bless the USA," their young voices ringing out on the clear day.

Lancaster Vice Mayor Bishop Henry Hearns recalled how residents awoke early Sept. 11 to a "horrific scene that shook America with its intent to divide, separate and conquer us."

"But under the watchful eye of an all-seeing God, you and I are here a year later to remember what happened and to remember those whose hearts trouble and hurt this morning," he added.

Mayor Frank Roberts presented a proclamation from the City Council announcing the city's joining with President George W. Bush in recognizing Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.

State Sen. William J. "Pete" Knight recalled how, a year ago Wednesday, the United States was attacked by "cowardly terrorists" who "tore down a couple of our most significant buildings in New York City."

Four airplanes were hijacked and more than 3,000 people were killed that day.

"But this country is not made of material things," Knight said. "They didn't hit this country; they missed it.

"America is something more than buildings and airplanes. America is an idea; it's an idea that has carried on for a couple of hundred years, and it's been successful."

Rather than tear down the country, the attacks served to strengthen our resolve, Knight said.

America began fighting back that day before the attacks were finished when the 40 passengers of Flight 93 sought to take the plane back from the hijackers.

The plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field rather than in Washington, where many believe it was headed.

"We're at war - remember that; don't forget it," Knight said. "Remember why that flag is at half-mast and be resolved that we will win this war because this is the greatest country on God's green earth."

Assemblyman George Runner recalled Sept. 11 as one of the turning points in the nation's history.

"Through this challenge, through this adversity, America has responded," he said.

As Roberts read a tribute to the victims, singling out the passengers of the four hijacked planes, the victims of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the law enforcement professionals and the firefighters, an American flag made of panels took shape.

The panels were held by Hearns, councilmen Jim Jeffra, Ed Sileo and Andy Visokey, Lt. Axel Anderson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and firefighter-paramedic Jim Wheeler of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

"Today it's time to go on to a new feeling," said Diane Grooms, regional vice president of United Way.

Uploaded September 12, 2002