A small crowd gathered to reflect and remember the tragedy of 9/11 Tuesday around 7 a.m. at the Culver City City Hall Courtyard.
After a bell was rung to mark the solemn occasion, Culver City Police Chief Don Pedersen urged those gathered to reflect on what was lost during the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.
“It was 11 years ago today,” Pedersen said. “This was a day we will never forget. We’re here today to support the families and remember the victims.”
Members of the Culver City Police Department and the Culver City Fire Department stood at attention during Pedersen’s brief remarks and as nearby flags were lowered to half-staff.
Culver City resident Nancy Marquez wiped her eyes with a tissue as the ceremony ended. She said she attended the ceremony “because I like to remember this day each year.”
Stuart Freeman of Freeman Properties said he was also touched by the occasion.
“It’s an important day,” he said. “Sometimes in day-to-day life you get consumed with your own life, so it’s important to remember.”
Culver City councilmembers were also in attendance. Mayor Andy Weissman said all residents should take the time to remember.
“It was an event that was stunning in its tragedy but life-changing in the way American citizens view themselves and the world,” Weissman said.
He added it was important to remember those in the military who “are still in conflict as a result of the events of 9/11.”
In addition to attending this morning’s ceremony, Culver City Councilman Micheál O’Leary, who owns Irish pub, said he observes the anniversary every year by donating all the profits earned on 9/11 from his business to the family of a New York police officer who was a victim of the tragedy. He has helped two families over the past decade, he said.
No matter how Culver City residents choose to mark the anniversary, Pedersen said “I think it’s important what this was all about. It was not an accident. This was a crime. American citizens were killed on American soil. This wasn’t random.”
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