9/11 Memorials Throughout Santa Barbara

9/11: Never Forget Project by the Young American’s Foundation (courtesy photo)

By edhat staff

A series of memorials and tributes are taking place on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks from 2001.

The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) staff, volunteers, and students from Providence School gathered Tuesday morning and placed 2,977 flags on Santa Barbara’s West Beach. Each flag represents those who died in the 9/11 attacks. 

YAF also hosted a morning program featuring writer and political commentator Andrew Klavan. At 5:30 p.m. a bugler is planned to conclude the day as flags will be removed by volunteers.

At 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, the Goleta based company Raytheon held a memorial and recognition for the employees they lost during 9/11 and those who risked their lives, including local Response Teams. This year they also recognized those agencies, volunteers and individuals who gave their time and efforts during our local disasters – the Thomas Fire and the Montecito mudslide.

Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m., Santa Barbara Sister Cities is hosting a free community concert at the Faulkner Gallery in Santa Barbara’s Museum of Art. The musical celebration of life and peace will include performances by Gil Rosas (Pianist and Entertainer), Jackson Gillies (Winner of the Teen Star) and Fratelli–a Men’s Chorus.

While there are many personal connections to this tragedy in our local area, one victim has a direct tie to Santa Barbara. Mari-Rae Sopper was a victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks as a passenger on American Airlines Flight 77 which crashed into The Pentagon.

Sopper was en route to Santa Barbara to accept a position as the new head coach for UC Santa Barbara Gauchos’ women’s gymnastics team. She was 35 years old.