The Santa Paula Fire Department is inviting the community to join them in recognition of the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at special ceremonies to be held Sunday.
According to SPFD Chief Rick Araiza “We are coming up on the 10th anniversary of 9/11,” and public safety agencies across the nation are marking the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the “most destructive act of terrorism ever on U.S. soil... “
Araiza said 2,977 people died in the attacks - including those that downed a hijacked jet before it reached its target - as well as 343 New York firefighters and paramedics who responded to the Twin Towers. Sixty New York Police and Port Authority officers also were killed.
Araiza said the SPFD will have twin ceremonies on Sunday at Station 81: at 6:45 a.m., to coincide with the first jet striking a Twin Tower, firefighters will stand at attention and raise the flags. At 6:59 a.m. a special tone will go out over dispatch throughout Ventura County and four sets of five bells will be sounded followed by one minute of complete silence.
“Sunday morning at 10 a.m. there will be a National Moment of Silence,” also observed at Station 81 to which the public is again invited.
The Ventura County Government Center will be the site of an observance starting at 11 a.m.
The event is being held to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 as well as to “demonstrate the perseverance that the American people have shown since that day... “
Araiza noted that SPFD Firefighter Andy Van Sciver “Has been instrumental in the planning of the Government Center event,” where Santa Paula’s own portion of steel from the fallen Twin Towers will be displayed.
Van Sciver said the observance would be held from 11 a.m. to noon near the Firefighters and Law Enforcement memorials at the government center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
The ceremony will include remarks by Col. Lou Danner, the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, a prayer by Chaplain John Parra, remarks by Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper and Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean and the Bell Ceremony overseen by Supervisor Linda Parks.
“Santa Paula will be represented by an engine and crew in Class A,” uniform and Van Sciver said the Santa Paula Fire Fighters Association would also offer its Golf Cart 81 to help those handicapped reach the ceremony.
Police and fire vehicles representing agencies from throughout Ventura County will be circled near the event.
Van Sciver said with the anniversary coming up it is important for people to remember, “If you see something, say something,” if it rouses your suspicion.
According to a slide shown to the City Council at the September 6 meeting, “Terrorism is a sad reality in today’s world. If you observe something truly suspicious and you believe there may be a terrorism connection, don’t take any chances. Report it. Your actions could stop the next terrorism attack.”
“Be aware of what is going around you and your surroundings, not just terrorism but for other reasons,” said Van Sciver.
