The Antelope Valley Times

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Local tribute marks 9/11 anniversary

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911 remembrance 2013 1PALMDALE – A crowd of nearly 200 gathered in front of the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Antelope Valley Mall Wednesday morning for a ceremony to mark the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Several high-ranking members of local law enforcement spoke at the somber ceremony, which also honored and remembered Antelope Valley’s fallen heroes.

“We’re here today not only to pay tribute to these great souls that gave their lives on that terrible day 12 years ago, but to honor those first responders who have sacrificed so much in the service of their communities,” said Captain Pat Nelson of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. “Selfless acts of heroism occur across this great nation on a daily basis.”

Angeles National Forest Fire Chief James Hall read the names of the 14 local fallen heroes.
Angeles National Forest Fire Chief James Hall read the names of the 14 local fallen heroes.

Nelson read a 9-11 tribute poem by Alan Jankowski, entitled “We shall never forget“.

“The way we can honor them is simply this: Go out and do good for someone,” said Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Don Ford. He urged the audience to think of something kind to do for someone else. “By doing good, we repay the evil in a way that they can’t defeat,” Ford said.

Nationwide, many firefighters were honoring September 11th by wearing their firefighting gear and performing 110-story stair climbs inside buildings within their city, said Assistant Fire Chief Gerald Cosey.

“They dedicate their efforts to the many rescuers who ascended the two 110-story towers…” Cosey said. “They do this and we do this so the firefighters of September 11th will never be forgotten.”

The group also paused to remember the 14 men and woman of the Antelope Valley who lost their lives in the line of duty.  Angeles National Forest Fire Chief James Hall recited the names of the fallen:

  • Constable Herbert E. Glidden (1920)
  • Captain Philip Goodell, Los Angeles County Fire Department (1968)
  • Helicopter Pilot Thomas Grady, Los Angeles County Fire Department (1977)
  • Deputy Gregory Low (1978)
  • Deputy Charles Plumleigh (1978)
  • Battalion Chief Kenneth Burton, Angeles National Forest (1981)
  • Captain Gilbert Lopez, Angeles National Forest (1985)
  • Deputy Rosemary May (1989)
  • Deputy Richard Hammack (1992)
  • Deputy Stephen Sorensen (2003)
  • Captain Daniel Elkins, Los Angeles County Fire Department (2004)
  • Deputy Pierre W. Bain (2006)
  • Fire Captain Tedmund Hall (2009)
  • Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones (2009)
Lancaster Councilmember Sandra Johnson said she came from a family of firefighters, making the tribute especially personal for her. “I’m here just to give respect to those who risk their lives and think of everyone else before they think of themselves,” Johnson said. “That’s what our country is all about.”
Lancaster Councilmember Sandra Johnson said she came from a family of firefighters, making the tribute especially personal for her. “I’m here just to give respect to those who risk their lives and think of everyone else before they think of themselves,” Johnson said. “That’s what our country is all about.”
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Don Ford (forefront) said the remembrance ceremony was not a funeral. Rather, it was conducted with pride and reverence for the brave men and women who had risked it all, Ford said.
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Don Ford (forefront) said the remembrance ceremony was not a funeral. Rather, it was conducted with pride and reverence for the brave men and women who had risked it all, Ford said.
The ceremony included a presentation of colors by a multi-agency color guard.
The ceremony included a presentation of colors by a multi-agency color guard.
A musical rendition of “Fallen Not Forgotten” by All Fired Up moved many audience members to tears.
A musical rendition of “Fallen Not Forgotten” by All Fired Up moved many audience members to tears.
Firefighter Jeffrey Robson conducted the ringing of the bell, meant to remember and honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
Firefighter Jeffrey Robson conducted the ringing of the bell, meant to remember and honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
Bagpiper Bob Conacher of the U.S. Forest Service played Amazing Grace, while helicopters flew over the ceremony.
Bagpiper Bob Conacher of the U.S. Forest Service played Amazing Grace, while law enforcement helicopters flew over the ceremony.

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A crowd of about 200 attended the somber hour-long ceremony
A crowd of about 200 attended the somber hour-long ceremony

For more pictures from this event, visit our Facebook page.

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Filed Under: Palmdale

7 comments for "Local tribute marks 9/11 anniversary"

  2. First and foremost…. God Bless our fallen hero’s and their families. Secondly, I’m amazed at how everyone hopped on this page and completely passed judgement on everything and everyone involved. Get a grip. This day (9/11) is and was about our “Fallen Hero’s.” If no other day, can we make this one about them without the negativity, PLEASE?
    Who cares where it was and who was in the pictures; focus on the purpose of the ceremony.

    God Bless America!

  3. Just a question. Why do we have a “Fallen Heroes Memorial” at the mall? Why not at a public park where it doesn’t look like a total sellout for the primary purposes of capitalism? I mean really. They BLASTED that golf course for having a 9/11 deal on 106.3 this morning (rightly so) and then advertised this mall event right after. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m all for a memorial and I think the service is well advised and the right thing to do in every way. But to have it at the mall is a rather obvious attempt (by the mall?) to get people to their location. If it were sincere, I think it would have been held at Marie Kerr Park right up the street. …or do they think people wouldn’t show up unless they could get their Macy’s shoes right after the ceremony?

    • Yeah, AVTimes, how did it happen that you got no shots of Mayor Ledford,who was there and looking well, and Sandy Corrales, who was holding down the refreshment table?
      What is Johnson doing, praying or feeding birds?
      Why did you totally exclude
      Palmdale ‘s
      Mayor?

      How did you guys totally ignore

    • You do realize that her husband was a firefighter, right? They’ve been involved in training EMT’s and paramedics who often join the fire service as well.

      So an AV rememberance of fallen cops and firefighters, is probably going to bring in council members…and maybe one whose husband was in the job…and suddenly it’s just a photo op?