In ceremonies throughout the day Monday, the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were remembered in Orange County.
One large remembrance event was hosted at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, where 22 years later visitors still paused their day to pay tribute to those who died and the first responders who raced to the rescue.
Evening events were hosted in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo.
At the first event of the day, the annual remembrance at the Orange County Fire Authority headquarters in Irvine, Fire Chief Brian Fennessy spoke of the day being about remembering, but also reflection, unity and renewal.
He spoke of the New York City firefighters who offered words of encouragement to people as they climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center towers toward the floors on fire, knowing they were putting themselves in great risk, and other acts of heroism big and small.
“One of our nation’s darkest hours produced some of our nation’s brights moments,” he said.
“While it is natural to dwell on the cruelty and horror innocent people faced on 9/11, today we honor the fullness of their lives, including the final moments when all of them, in one way or another, became ordinary heroes,” he said.
“For me, we bring the greatest honor to those who perished in 9/11 by doing what we do in our daily lives,” he added. “How we support each other in good and challenging times. How we live by the values of courage and care. How we bring light in the moment of darkness.”
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