9/11 Local Observances
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Modesto-area fire departments will remember and honor those affected by the attacks.
Free and public ceremonies will occur simultaneously in Modesto, Riverbank, Oakdale and Turlock. They will begin at 8:46 a.m., when Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 8:30 a.m.
Each city will have a flag ceremony and identical speech from a chief officer.
Some ceremonies, including the one in Modesto, will have an honor guard presentation from the police and fire departments.
Additionally, American Legion Post 491 in Ceres will host an event at 8:30 a.m. in Whitmore Park.
The Patriots’ Day Memorial Service will feature a nondenominational prayer, a statement from the commander of the Ceres Veterans of Foreign Wars and an honor guard rifle salute and taps. A final bell will ring for the lost and missing in the events of 9/11.
Ceremony locations:
Modesto: Station 1, 60 11th St.
Ceres: Whitmore Park, North and Second streets
Riverbank: Station 26, 3318 Topeka St.
Oakdale: Station 28, 325 E. G St.
Turlock: Station 31, 540 E. Marshall St.
In addition to the Fire Department’s ceremony, the Modesto fire and police departments will attend the First Responders Day football game at Modesto Junior College. The game versus Diablo Valley College starts at 5 p.m.
A few local high schools will also have special ceremonies and tributes for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Big Valley Christian has been planning its ceremony for weeks. The night will feature free admission for all first responders and military personnel with a valid badge or military ID.
Pregame festivities will begin at 6:30, half an hour before kickoff between the Lions and Gustine High. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Modesto PD, Modesto Fire, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire, the CHP, AMR, the Army and Marine Corps will have members and units in attendance. Also, the Sheriff’s Honor Guard will be on site to present the colors for the national anthem.
Escalon and Oakdale will compete in yet another rivalry matchup Friday night at Engel Field. The Cougars will wear camo jerseys, there will be a 9/11 memorial reading and players and cheerleaders will hold up the San Francisco 49ers 100-yard long American flag during the national anthem.
Modesto Christian’s Military and First Responder Appreciation Night will honor past and present military, law enforcement, firefighters, and medical and emergency personnel. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. According to athletic director Brice Fantazia, the Crusaders, who host River Islands, have planned to host Modesto Fire, Modesto PD, military branches, CHP and the Sheriff’s Office, and the night could include a flyover.
Other games will have a Tribute and USA theme, including Downey at Merced, Hughson hosting Patterson and Gregori hosting Atwater. (Credit: Modesto Bee )
In San Joaquin County:
The Lathrop Manteca Fire District is hosting brief, quiet, early morning gatherings at all five of its stations. Community members are invited to stand directly alongside on-duty firefighters at the flagpoles during the exact minute of the first tower impact.
The City of Manteca Fire Department is hosting simultaneous remembrance services across the city. Each location will feature a ceremonial lowering of the American flag to half-staff, a moment of silence, and brief remarks from city leaders.
In Stockton, the Office of Emergency Services is partnering with Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, El Concilio California, Catholic Charities, Little Manila Rising and Lily of the Valley Church to host The Ready Together Community Block Party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the El Concilio California Stockton II Opportunity Center, 224 S. Sutter St., Stockton. The event is open to San Joaquin County residents.
