9/11 Remembrance, Candlelight Vigil

Lamorinda Sun ^ | 8/18/11 | Unknown

[usflagwaver]

The Lafayette Flag Brigades' 10th annual 9/11 Remembrance and Candlelight Vigil will feature not only what is believed to be the largest overpass display in California, but also a display of three large pieces of steel recovered from "ground zero," the site of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. The remembrance, at the El Curtola overcrossing of Highway 24 on the Lafayette-Walnut Creek border, begins at 3 p.m. with the flags and with the display of the steel pieces. At 5:30 p.m., the main speaker, scheduled to be a retired Fire Department of New York firefighter, will address the gathering. The program will also feature live performances and keynote speakers, as well as the United States Volunteers' flag folding ceremony, the Blue Star Moms and local Boy Scouts. There also will be as our special 10th anniversary music program, the 9/11 Memorial Theatre and the candlelight vigil, which is set to start at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to the observances, and it's free. To get to the El Curtola overcrossing, take Highway 24 to the Pleasant Hill Road exit, turn on Old Tunnel Road and go to the top of the hill.

[fella]

As it happened

[usflagwaver]

If you live in or near the San Francisco Bay Area, this 9/11 event is the one you should attend. On September 11, 2001, one person stood on this overpass in Lafayette and waved his flag. He was joined by another, and another, and then, many more.

For 10 years, this grassroots group of volunteers has put on this respectful, patriotic, non-political event without any assistance from any government entity. In fact, over the years we have consistently been hassled by the police because we wanted to dress up in red, white, and blue, and wave our flags one day a year to honor those that were killed or injured on that awful day.

Please check out the website:

http://www.nevereverforget911.com

and join us this year from 3pm to 8pm.

This is a family event. You will not believe how good you will feel showing your colors.

[DoughtyOne]

Candles? But they use candles in churches. This can’t be right. Why I never... /s

The removal of religion by Bloomberg leaves me wondering why bother with this commemoration. What does Bloomberg think the biggest source of comfort was for families after 09/11?

And now he’s banned it. Whew.

[usflagwaver]

Yes, we will have candles. The event in New York is disrespectful of the people that suffered so much. One of the speakers at our event in Lafayette is a FDNY Firefighter that was injured at Ground Zero that day. He had intended to go to the memorial in New York this year on the 10th Anniversary. Instead, since Bloomberg won't allow them, he is coming to our event in Lafayette, CA. He will be speaking.

If you are in our area, this commemoration is worth your time.

[DoughtyOne]

I believe your event is well worth anyone’s time, and I appreciate the mention. I’m sorry my comments made it seem I was referencing your event. I hope folks understood.

Bloomberg has really offended me, and the topic being 09/11 related, I wanted to blow off some steam about that mindless idiot.

The 09/11 memorial events have been a raw topic for me for nearly ten years now. When they brought in as many or more Islamic Clerics to one of those memorials as they did Christian leaders, it angered me considerably.

What an insult, to bring in Islamic Leaders when Islamic adherents had perpetrated the crimes. It was the ultimate insult to the families of the people who were murdered.

Oh yes, what a fitting time to play the “Religion of Peace” card. NOT!

Frankly, it’s been a punch someone in the nose moment for me for just short of ten years now.

[usflagwaver]

I understand your feelings. But at our event, we just want to spend time together, like we did 10 years ago. I don't know about you, but at that time, I felt so sad and scared. I was very happy to join others that felt the same way. We just keep going back, year after year. It is our way of feeling better about what happened. Everyone copes in different ways.
I was not directly affected by the events of that day, but I now know this fireman that lost so many friends and was hurt badly. He is still hurting inside. It makes me sad. But he is an inspiration to me, and I am glad he chose to spend his time with us.

[DoughtyOne]

I understand and agree with your take on things completely. I hope your event draws tens of thousands. I’d love to see that take place.

[usflagwaver]

Well, I hope not. We don’t want a circus. We would be happy with 200-300. Feel good.

[DoughtyOne]

Okay, then I hope you get just the number you want. Be sure to give us an after action report.

[353FMG]

What good is it to remember the events of 9/11/2001 when Islam is allowed to run roughshod in America and is accompanied by a relentless expansion of shariah law?

Anybody know the number of mosques that have been built in the past 10 years?

Anybody know the number of congresscritters daring to bring up this subject?

[La Enchiladita]

NEVER FORGET.

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Just an FYI: Michael’s craft stores are selling various ribbons & buttons with “never forget 9/11” * on them; a portion of the proceeds goes to the charity, “USACares.org” which provides assistance to military families. Here’s a link: http://www.usacares.org/

*The “11” is designed to look like the Twin Towers.