Today marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 – a day where Americans watched in shock as the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers collapsed in an unprecedented terrorist attack.
The event catapulted the country into war with the Middle East, started new departments such as the Transportation Security Administration and created major policy changes still felt throughout the United States today.
Almost 3,000 lives were lost that day – more than 2,700 civilians and 343 firefighters.
More than 6,000 others were injured during the attack.
The day is now recognized as Patriot Day – a day first observed on Sept. 11, 2002 by President George W. Bush and legally designated into a day of remembrance by President Barack Obama on Sept. 11, 2009.
Here is where you can find remembrance ceremonies for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Orange County today.
North Orange County
Fullerton
The Fullerton Police and Fire Departments are hosting a remembrance ceremony for the 25th anniversary of the attacks today at the home of Scott and Julie Townley. Starting at 8:30 a.m., each name of the 3,029 lives lost on that day will be read aloud and will conclude the ceremony when the last name has been read.
Community members were able to visit the 9/11 Memorial Display on N. Woods Avenue starting Sept. 6. The display will continue to be open through today.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: 863 N. Woods Avenue
Yorba Linda
The Richard Nixon Foundation is hosting an indoor ceremony at the Nixon Library today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Starting at 11 a.m., the event will include speeches by the OC Sheriff’s Department and OC Fire Authority.
The free event will also feature performances from the OCFA Pipes and Drums, the OCFA Honor Guard, the Orange High School Chamber Singers and more.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Richard Nixon Library and Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Central Orange County
Santa Ana
Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana will be hosting a 2,200 Steps Memorial Walk on Sept. 12 in honor of the firefighters who climbed the Twin Towers. The event is set to begin at 9 a.m with a tribute to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11.
Attendees can help to create a memorial lawn by helping to place one of 343 American flags on the ground to represent each firefighter who lost their life in the attack.
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Where: Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue
Coastal Orange County
Huntington Beach
The City of Huntington Beach will be hosting their annual Patriot Day Ceremony today at 6 p.m at Pier Plaza. In partnership with American Legion Post 133, Mayor Casey McKeon and public safety personnel will be paying tribute to the lives lost during the attacks and those injured that day.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: Pier Plaza, 317 Pacific Coast Highway
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach will be honoring the 25th anniversary at Heisler Park today. The commemoration will begin with a memorial service starting at 8:45 a.m., followed by a remembrance that will be broadcast countywide at 9:03 a.m.
When: Friday, Sept 11 at 8:45 a.m.
Where: Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive
South Orange County
Dana Point
Dana Hills High School will be commemorating the 25th anniversary by hosting its annual Honor The Valor event – a ceremony honoring local active military, veterans and first responders. Starting at 5 p.m., student athletes will be escorting honorees onto the field of Spencer Stadium for a recognition ceremony and presentation.
The event will feature an aerial flyover and color guard with participation from the 5th Marine Regiment, the OC Fire Authority and more. General admission to the event is $11 while students and seniors will be able to buy tickets for $6.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Spencer Stadium at Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern Street
Mission Viejo
The City of Mission Viejo is inviting the community to honor the day at the Mission for Heroes Game at Mission Viejo High School. In a conjoined effort with the Mission for Heroes Foundation, there will be a concert by Redneck Rodeo from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the school.
The concert will be followed by a football game where the Mission Viejo Diablos will play Lincoln High School in a special commemoration matchup. Local vendors will be serving food throughout the night for attendees to enjoy. Admission into the remembrance event is $10.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m.
Where: Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive
Irvine
The OC Fire Authority will be hosting their annual remembrance ceremony at their training center in Irvine. Starting at 8:30 a.m., there will be a bell-ringing ceremony led by the OCFA Honor Guard and access to the department’s 9/11 memorial.
The event will also be livestreamed on the OCFA’s Facebook page.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: OCFA Regional Fire Operations and Training Center, 1 Fire Authority Road
Rancho Santa Margarita
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita will be commemorating 9/11 in the Civic Plaza today at 5:30 p.m. City officials are inviting the community to come together to remember the lives lost during the attacks and to commemorate the sacrifice of first responders that day.
When: Friday, Sept 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Civic Plaza, 22112 El Paseo
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano will be working with a group of community volunteers to host its own commemoration ceremony today at 8:30 a.m. Held at the Patriots Hill Flagpole, city officials are urging people to arrive early for the event.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Patriots Hill Flagpole, Cerro Rebal Trail
