On Thursday, the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum will serve as the site of a solemn commemoration marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
This event is part of a series of memorials taking place across San Diego County, honoring the victims and heroes of that fateful day in 2001.
The ceremony is organized by the Fire Department of New York Retirees of San Diego, in collaboration with the USS Midway Museum, the San Diego and National City fire departments, the San Diego Firefighter’s Emerald Society, and The Wounded Warrior Project. This collective effort aims to “pay tribute to our fallen heroes and keep our promise to Never Forget.”
Commencing at 2:30 p.m., the ceremony will feature several significant components, including honor guards, the National Anthem, and the poignant reading of the names of 441 first responders who lost their lives during the attacks.
Attendees will witness the tolling of the ship’s bells, a helicopter flyover, and a 21-gun salute, creating a respectful atmosphere for reflection.
In a gesture of community solidarity, admission to the museum will be free from 1:45 to 3 p.m. for those attending the event.
Beyond the Midway event, South Bay business leaders are coming together to acknowledge the bravery of first responders by offering complimentary meals.
The Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, Seven Mile Casino, and spokesperson Pedro Anaya have joined forces with local businesses to provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every fire and police station in Chula Vista, Bonita, and Imperial Beach, as well as at Chula Vista police headquarters.
Numerous businesses and organizations are participating in this initiative, including local favorites such as Lolita’s Mexican Food, South County EDC, Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, and Sammy’s at Seven Mile Casino.
Additional commemorative events are also taking place across the region.
At 8:30 a.m., the University of San Diego will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance and Interfaith Prayer for Peace, held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice theater.
HandsOn San Diego will facilitate the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, inviting volunteers to engage with various nonprofit organizations. Opportunities include supporting rescued farm animals in Escondido, assisting at farmers markets in North Park and Rancho Peñasquitos, serving dinner at the safe parking program in Spring Valley, mentoring youth musicians in Point Loma, and caring for horses in Dulzura.
Furthermore, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection San Diego Field Office will observe the anniversary with a brief pause in northbound traffic at four land ports of entry at 5:46 a.m. PST—coinciding with the moment Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This tribute will take place at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, and Calexico West ports of entry, with normal traffic operations resuming immediately following the ceremony.
Members of the armed forces will also participate in the Climb to Remember event on Naval Base San Diego, which begins at 8 a.m., along with the U.S. Navy’s Federal Fire Team.
Additionally, the Travis Manion Foundation will be hosting the 9/11 Heroes Run at NTC Park at Liberty Station. This run honors those affected by the events of 9/11 and service members who have served since, including Marine Travis Manion, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. The event will feature a 5K run, with an option for participants to carry gear in a Ruck race.
As a prelude to these events, on Aug. 30, Firefighter Aid held its annual San Diego Memorial Stair Climb, where 676 climbers raised over $50,000 by ascending 110 flights of stairs—the same number as in the World Trade Center towers. Each climber wore the name of a fallen emergency responder who perished that day.
image source from：timesofsandiego
