Community Readies for 9/11

Tomorrow, Sept. 9 is the Remembrance Motorcade in the morning and 9/11 Evening Ceremony. Organized by Chamber members Dwight Sityar, Steve Pierce and Jean Maluccio, and sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Early Rodders Car Club, this annual event is one of those things that make our town so special. It doesn’t need to happen but it will because there are people who care enough about the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 to take the time to remember and honor them.

On this, the 15th anniversary of the events, the motorcade is paying special recognition to the canine response team recruited for rescue operations in the days following the bombings. Many dogs were even flown in from California. Look for the Glendale Police Dept.’s K-9 police car unit as the motorcade passes by and you may catch a glimpse of their star K-9 Idol.

The motorcade will begin as the bells of St. Luke’s chime at 9:02 a.m. and generally will follow the same route as last year (see the CV Chamber Facebook page for a map); however, two new schools have been added to the roster:  St. Monica’s Academy and La Cañada Elementary. Sityar said, “The school support has been incredible. We’re looking forward to seeing the students at the curb to wave to participants and to [commemorate] Patriot Day.”

Typically around 200 students at each of 18 area schools come out to see the motorcade of 50 or so vehicles pass by. They take a few minutes out of their daily schedule to mark the important event. The entourage passes by six fire stations, numerous law enforcement stations and community gathering spots such as the libraries, JPL and the American Legion Hall. At all locations supporters wave flags, salute, shout encouragement or contemplate silently.

To the average La Crescentan who sees the motorcade pass by between 9:02 a.m. and 10:15 am on Friday, Sept. 9, Sityar suggested, “Just come out, wave to us, support us. We are one big family.”

The evening ceremony will see a few changes as well. It will begin at 6 p.m. this year instead of 7 p.m. and will take place just west of the Bob Smith Toyota showroom at 3333 Foothill Blvd, instead of east. Typically this ceremony has been a solemn affair. This year, on the 15th anniversary, the organizers hope to celebrate the lives of those who died. There will be singing of patriotic songs as well as class songs and cheers by students from Valley View and Lincoln elementary schools. We’ll have uplifting songs by Ashley Webb, Malia Chock and Dana Ryan. The night will culminate with classic American blues from the Woodward Avenue Blues Band. The event is free and all members of the community are invited.

Upcoming Event
Foothills Community Business Expo is on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital –fourth floor community room. Free food, free admission, prizes, music, information and fun. Come on over!

  Lisa DUPUY