Orange County communities plan to gather on Thursday, the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, to remember those who died and those who ran into danger to rescue those they could.
Here are a number of the remembrances planned on Thursday, as well as later this weekend.
Irvine: The Orange County Fire Authority will host a brief ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at its Regional Fire Operations and Training Center in Irvine, which will include an honor guard and bell ringing ceremony, speakers and the center’s 9/11 memorial. The event will also be live-streamed at Facebook.com/OCFireAuthority
Laguna Beach: First responders and city leaders will have a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at Monument Point in Heisler Park. It is expected to last around 30 minutes.
Yorba Linda: At 11 a.m., the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda will have its annual ceremony remembering those who died. There will be remarks by Sheriff Don Barnes, OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy and retired Marine Lt. Col. Grant Williams, with performances by the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes and Drums, the Villa Park High School Band, Orange High School Chamber Singers and the OC Master Chorale.
Mission Viejo: At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the city is having a Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony at the new Fire Station 24 at 25862 Marguerite Parkway. A candlelight remembrance will conclude the event. Parking is at the Mission Viejo Marketplace.
Rancho Santa Margarita: There will be a Patriot Day Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the city’s Civic Plaza.
Huntington Beach: The city will have a Patriot Day Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Pier Plaza. Mayor Pat Burns and local first responders will lead the event honoring those who were injured and died in the terrorist attacks.
Orange: At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Orange Elks Lodge 1475 is hosting a community memorial ceremony at City Hall. The fourth annual commemoration will have speakers, patriotic performances by the El Modena High choir and on the bagpipes, a color guard presentation by Orange High’s MCJROTC and more.
Santa Ana: Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana will have a “2,200 Steps” event at 9 a.m. on Saturday that will feature participants walking a path in memory of the 343 firefighters who died as they tried to rescue people in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The 2,200 steps (about a mile) represent the flights of stairs rescuers climbed in the World Trade Towers. There will also be speakers, a moment of silence and other tributes.