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A crowd of several hundred gathering at the All Wars Memorial yesterday at Oak Hill Park in the early evening to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Scouts marched in bearing American flags to begin the ceremony. The flag was raised on the hill behind the monument, then lowered to half staff, after which a bevy of doves was released.
Speakers included a Ground Zero responder and Brig. Gen. Nickolas Tooliatos. Three gold-star service families were in attendance bearing photos of their loved ones who died in service to their country.
Danville Mayor Candace Andersen spoke briefly about Sept. 11 now being “Patriot Day” in the United States.
“This is the day the country came together as patriots,” she said.
Moving musical numbers were performed by the Monte Vista Chamber Singers and bagpiper Nicholas Theriault. The event was concluded with taps played by VFW Commander Tony Carnemolla and a 21-gun salute by the 75th Division Salute Battery on the hill overlooking the park.
“We Remember September 11” was sponsored by the Exchange Club of the San Ramon Valley and the Town of Danville.
By Dolores Fox Ciardelli
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The Monte Vista Chamber Singers listen solemnly to remembrances of Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Mike Conklin (left), founder and president of the Sentinels of Freedom Foundation, and Vic Thibeault, an injured soldier sponsored by the foundation, at the ceremony. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Scouts from the San Ramon Valley flank the Sept. 11 remembrance. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Brig. Gen. Nickolas Tooliatos addresses the crowd. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Three Gold Star families, who have lost loved ones in service to their country, are special guests at “We Remember Sept. 11.” Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Old Glory flies at half staff in remembrance of those who died Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Nicholas Theriault plays the bagpipes, as the 75th Division Salute Battery on the hill listens. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Nicholas Theriault plays the bagpipes after VFW Commander Tony Carnemolla, standing at left, performed Taps. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
A wreathe is laid at the memorial, then given to the Kyle Crowley Gold Star Family, by Marine Corps Lt. Jason Giannini; Army Reservist Isaac Jenkins, a combat veteran; Capt. Jim Martin of SRVFPD; and Danville Officer Paul Murphy. Photo by Karen Stepper.
