National Remembrance Day Marking 20th Anniversary of 9/11

The Santa Barbara Police Department invites members of the community to attend this special ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens on Saturday, September 11, at 9 a.m.

Numerous communities across our nation are participating in the first annual 9/11 Flag of Honor Across America Memorial Ceremony. This will be the largest nationally coordinated event remembering those 2,983 lives that were lost (www.911memorial.org) on September 11, 2001, World Trade Center Attack, and the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing.

In the aftermath of 9/11, only three police Chiefs in the country were activated for military service, Chief Bernard Melekian was one of them. He spent most of 2003 on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard. 

“The aftermath of 9/11 evolved into war, military operations, and geopolitics. However, on September 11, 2001, on that day, at that time, it was about first responders and private citizens who went into danger at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and aboard flight 93. They did so regardless of the risk and, as a consequence, thousands paid with their lives. We should never forget them or their sacrifice.” — Chief Bernard Melekian, 48 years of law enforcement service, United States Army Sergeant – 3 years of service, United States Coast Guard Reserve Chief Petty Officer – 25 years of service. 

The Santa Barbara Police Department, along with members of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, and several other fellow allied public safety agencies and government officials will be participating in a 20th year anniversary remembrance ceremony of the tragic events on 9/11.

Officer Sandusky stated, “The attack that happened on September 11, 20 years ago, was the main driving force for me to join the United States Army. I felt the need to do something for others and my country. Now as a Santa Barbara Police Officer, I’m able to serve and protect the members of this community. I’m remembering all those lives that were lost on that tragic day and honor them by being a member of the Santa Barbara Police Department Honor Guard and will be involved in the ceremony this Saturday.” — Officer Dillon Sandusky, 4 Years of SBPD Service, United States Army Corporal – 4 Years of Service.

Officer McBeth said, “I will never forget where I was on the morning of September 11, 2001; even 20 years later I can remember it with detail. I knew I would join the United States Marine Corps to protect my fellow Americans and my country. I knew after the Marine Corps I wanted to continue my service as a police officer for the community I grew up in, Santa Barbara. I’m currently a member of the Santa Barbara Police Honor Guard and I’m honored to participate in the ceremony this Saturday, remembering all those who lost their lives on that tragic day.” 

— Officer Scott McBeth, 5 Years of SBPD Service, United States Marine Corps Corporal – 5 Years of Service. 

Special Guest Speakers Include:

• Judge Thomas Adams, Santa Barbara County Superior Court

• U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal

• District Attorney Joyce Dudley, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office

• Mayor Cathy Murillo, Mayor of Santa Barbara

• Chief Bernard Melekian, Santa Barbara Police Department

• Sheriff Bill Brown, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

• Fire Chief Greg Fish, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District

 Ceremony Program Includes:

• Multi-Public Safety Agency Honor Guard

• Official Presentation and folding of 9/11 Flag of Honor

• “Ringing of the Bell”

• 21 Gun Salute

• Helicopter Flyover

• Taps – Santa Barbara Boy Scouts

 

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Remembrance Event on Saturday, September 11,

Source: CADA

The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) Teen Court Program will host a Remembrance Event on Saturday, September 11, to commemorate the women, men and children who lost their lives in terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. In 2001, 2,977 individuals died in attacks on New York’s World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and on the airline flights involved in the assaults. Six individuals perished in a 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City. Across the nation, 60 communities will hold similar events in coordination with event leader and sponsor Global Youth Justice, Inc., (Boston, MA); and event sponsor AmeriCorps (Washington, D.C.). 

 

CADA’s Teen Court Program, which was founded in 1993 by Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Adams, was invited to participate in the event, which will be hosted by many similar court diversion programs across the country. 

 

Each of the 60 Inaugural Communities will remember 50 of those who perished in these tragedies, marking the largest nationally coordinated commemoration of these life-changing events. The 90-minute Santa Barbara event will be held at the lower portion of the Santa Barbara County Sunken Garden at 1100 Anacapa Street, beginning at 9 a.m. The public is cordially invited and is asked to bring their own seating. 

 

The event will include the display and presentation of an official 9/11 Flag of Honor to Judge Adams, which includes the names of all victims who died on these two days. Local officials speaking at the event include 24th District U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal; Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley; Santa Barbara City Mayor Cathy Murillo; Santa Barbara Police Department Chief Bernard Melekian; County of Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown; and Fire Chief Greg Fish, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. 

 

The conclusion of the ceremony will include a reading of the names of the fallen (“We Will Never Forget”) followed with a Bell Ringing by Multi-Agency Fire Department; a 21 Gun Salute by Multi-Agency Law Enforcement; a Memorial Flyover by the Sheriff’s Department; and Taps by the Pacific Coast Los Padres Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

 

All in attendance are respectfully requested to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing protocols.