Downey pays tribute to victims of September 11 attacks

Fire Chief Dan Hurlock rings a bell in honor of those lost during the September 11 attacks as Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo, Councilmen Hector Sosa and Timothy Horn, and Police Captain Michael Parino look on. (PHOTO BY ALEX DOMINGUEZ)

DOWNEY - City council members, city staff, first responders, and residents came together in front of City Hall on Monday morning to pay tribute to the lives lost during the September 11 terrorist attacks.

It has been 22 years since a group of al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing them into the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Virgina. The fourth plane would be brought down in a field in Pennsylvania, after a passenger uprising.

At a ceremony in the city’s Civic Center on Monday, Mayor Pro Tem Mario Trujillo called it “one of the worst attacks against American US soil” and “a day none of us will forget.”

“On September 11, 2001, thousands lost their lives. Victims ranged in age from 2 to 82, and the fallen included emergency and military personnel, as well as civilians,” said Trujillo. “Throughout the years, the death toll has continued to rise from the lasting effects of that day.”

He continued:

“Now, more than ever, saying we will never forget rings true because of the younger generations who didn’t experience this tragedy first hand. We must continue to come together and remember this moment in our country, and the heroes that responded bravely.”

In total, 2,977 innocent people lost their lives, along with the 19 hijackers.

“Among those who perished were 2,508 civilians, 55 military personnel. Additionally, there were 414 first responders, which included 71 law enforcement officers, and 343 firefighters,” said Downey Fire Chief Dan Hurlock. “Those 414 first responders didn’t know that they would be putting on their uniform for the last time, and that they would answer their last call for service, but they bravely responded to those attacks, putting their safety at risk as part of their duty, and they paid the ultimate price, giving their lives serving their community.”

The event concluded with the laying of a wreath, ringing of a bell, and a moment of silence.