By Mary O’KEEFE

Sept. 11 is Patriot Day, a day to remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. In Crescenta Valley, the day is commemorated in two ways. The first is a motorcade in the morning and the second is a somber remembrance of the day that shocked the nation.

It was seven years ago when community leaders gathered to find a way to recognize Patriot Day, to honor the emergency responders who, without thought of their own safety, rushed into the Twin Towers at New York’s World Trade Center to help those in need after the towers were hit by two airliners. They also wanted to recognize the tragic loss of lives resulting from the planes that crashed into the U.S. Pentagon and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 lives were lost that day. 

At the World Trade Center, 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police and 37 Port Authority police officers died. Many of the first responders who participated in the recovery/rescues after the attacks continue to deal with health issues due to the environment created by the destruction of the Twin Towers.

Crescenta Valley honors the emergency responders, then and now, who continue to run toward danger in order to help others. This is especially meaningful in the local area as residents have witnessed law enforcement and firefighters risk their lives during wildfires, floods and earthquakes.

In the morning of Sept. 11, a motorcade of classic cars will drive along a route throughout Crescenta Valley (to see the route, see page 6). This event focuses on honoring the emergency responders who continue to keep the local area safe. The motorcade travels past fire and law enforcement stations and schools. Students have the opportunity to thank emergency responders and veterans, along with community leaders, as they drive by in the motorcade.

The second part of the day is a somber rememberance of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 and their families. The event is held at Bob Smith Toyota, 3333 Foothill Blvd. and begins at 5:30 p.m. American Legion Post 288 leads the event with the pledge of allegiance followed by a benediction by Pastor Randy Foster and performances by violinist Nonoy Alsaybar, Crescenta Valley High School student Norah Krantz, the Hummingbird Conservatory, Holland Ammann and Mike Perry. There will be a performance by students from Dunsmore Elementary School, too.

The event is free to the public.

Time Runs for 9/11

Start from

8:45………………………………….Ralphs Parking Lot

8:46………………………………….Sheriffs Station

8:48………………………………….Mountain Elementary School

8:50………………………………….Rosemont Middle School

8:52………………………………….Monte Vista Elementary School

8:55………………………………….La Crescenta Library

8:56………………………………….Fire Station # 63

9:00………………………………….Valley View Elementary School

9:02………………………………….Clark Magnet School

9:04………………………………….Dunsmore Elementary School

                                               St. James School

9:08………………………………….Lincoln Elementary School

9:09………………………………….Fire Station # 28

9:12………………………………….Crescenta Valley High School

9:14………………………………….La Crescenta Elementary School

9:15………………………………….American Legion / Woman’s Club/CV Weekly

9:18…………………………………..Fire Station # 29

9:21…………………………………..Fremont Elementary School

9:22…………………………………..Glendale Community Center

9:26…………………………………..Vietnam Memorial

9:31…………………………………..YMCA

9:32…………………………………..Fire Station # 19

9:33…………………………………..La Cañada City Hall

9:34…………………………………..La Cañada Elementary School

9:38…………………………………..La Cañada Preparatory School

9:50…………………………………..Fire Station # 82

——— END OF MOTORCADE ( Final Stop )

NOTE: Give or take 5 minutes allowance 

  Mary Okeefe