Hundreds pay tribute to 9/11 heroes and victims at Yorba Linda ceremony.
Remembering the Heroes: Honoring the Victims of 9/11
YORBA LINDA, Calif.—Over 200 people gathered at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum to pay tribute to the fallen victims and heroes of 9/11, 22 years after the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The ceremony was a powerful and moving event, filled with bagpipe honors by the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes and Drums, the Presentation of the Colors by the U.S. Marines, and patriotic musical performances by the Orange Community Master Chorale.
Among the distinguished guests were Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, ceremony Emcee Chris Nordyke of the Nixon Foundation, and Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. Each of them delivered heartfelt speeches commemorating the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that fateful day.
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Chief Brian Fennessy shared the inspiring story of firefighter Kevin Pfifer, one of the many “ordinary heroes” within the New York Fire Department. Lt. Pfifer selflessly sacrificed his own life to save others by redirecting civilians and fellow firefighters to safety in the midst of the chaos.
Mr. Fennessy emphasized that these acts of bravery were not uncommon during 9/11, stating, “One of our nation’s darkest hours produced some of our nation’s brightest moments.”
Despite the tragedy and devastation, Chief Fennessy highlighted the importance of hope and resilience in his speech. He urged everyone to honor the lives of the victims by celebrating their fullness and recognizing the extraordinary heroism displayed by ordinary individuals.
Sheriff Barnes echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of future generations never forgetting the impact of the attacks on the United States.
He expressed concern about the decreasing number of law enforcement personnel who directly experienced 9/11 and the potential lack of awareness among younger generations about the precautions implemented after the attacks.
According to Mr. Barnes, only 12 percent of the current deputies at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were present during 9/11, with over 60 percent hired a decade later. This turnover poses a vulnerability that must be addressed.
Mr. Barnes called for policies to strengthen national security, including border security and measures to mitigate cyber threats.
Also present at the ceremony was Los Angeles Fire Captain Robert Cordobes, who vividly recalled his experience as a member of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team during the attacks. His unit was deployed to New York City to assist in the recovery efforts.
Mr. Cordobes described the haunting scenes of destruction and the absence of color in New York City due to the dust that engulfed the area. Although his team did not find any survivors, they played a crucial role in recovering the bodies of fallen firefighters.
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