Though the coronavirus pandemic continues, Inland residents will still mark the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Some commemorations have been canceled, others have been moved online, but some will continue in person with social distancing and other safety measures.
Here are highlights of local events.
CANYON LAKE
Canyon Lake is lighting up in blue to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
On Friday, Sept. 11, about 800 Canyon Lake residents, including Mayor Pro Tem Kasey Castillo and other community leaders, are expected to join in a solemn ceremony called Tribute in Light to honor the victims. The event, open only to residents and guests, will begin with a golf-cart procession at Fire Station 60. At 9:11 p.m., the community will be lit with blue spot lights, visible to the public from at least a half mile away.
The socially distant ceremony will feature speakers and video appearances from state Sen. Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, and the Frederick family from New York, whose son Dennis Frederick is a retired police sergeant who helped in the rescue effort. Former state Sen. Jeff Stone, who was appointed the U.S. Department of Labor’s western regional director, is scheduled to speak.
The event is set for 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
— Allyson Escobar
MENIFEE
Menifee is honoring 9/11 victims with two video tributes dedicated to the resiliency of Americans after the 2001 tragedy.
The first video features Menifee City Council members discussing the 19th anniversary of the attacks, and can be found on the city’s YouTube page and on social media.
A second virtual tribute will premiere at 8:46 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, and commemorate the thousands of lives lost. The pre-recorded flag ceremony video will feature Menifee’s public safety and law enforcement, including the Menifee Police Department Honor Guard and Fire Station 76 ladder truck, with a special tribute to those who lost their lives.
— Allyson Escobar
MORENO VALLEY
The M on Box Springs Mountain will be lit up in red, white and blue from dusk to midnight on Friday, Sept. 11, to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
The M is lit almost nightly in recognition of holidays and observances important to the community. For more information, or to suggest an occasion to light the M, visit MoVal.org/mschedule.
— Beau Yarbrough
MURRIETA, WILDOMAR
Throughout the weekend, sister hospitals Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta and Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar are commemorating the anniversary of 9/11 with a public display of 2,977 U.S. flags, split at both hospital entrances.
The flags were placed by students from Murrieta Mesa, Great Oaks and Paloma High Schools to honor the fallen in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, as part of the nationwide Young America’s Foundation (YAF) 9/11 Never Forget Project.
The flags will be on display at the two hospitals from Friday, Sept. 11 until Sunday, Sept. 13.
— Allyson Escobar
NORCO
At 8:35 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, Norco is hosting a virtual Patriot Day ceremony on its official Facebook page.
Norco Mayor Berwin Hanna and representatives from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will reflect on the terrorist attacks, honor victims and recognize first responders.
From 7 a.m. to noon, the community is invited in-person to honor the nation’s flag, pay tribute to fallen heroes and reflect on the meaning of Patriot Day at George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza. Vehicles may enter through Gate 5 of the Ingalls Event Center from Crestview Drive. The center is at 3737 Crestview Drive, Norco.
— Allyson Escobar
RIVERSIDE
The Riverside Citywide Never Forget 9-11 Day of Service is going virtual this year.
Options for participating include organizing a neighborhood cleanup, donating blood and scheduling a virtual preparedness presentation, a city news release stated. Participants are encouraged to share their events on social media.
A new video highlighting activities of previous years and new content is scheduled to be released via riversideca.gov Friday, Sept. 11. That video will feature music and messages and footage of Riverside first responders at Ground Zero in New York City, the release stated.
Neighborhood cleanups by families or groups of eight or fewer people may be organized with Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful by registering at https://forms.gle/LEZpie5z8k4oVvHR6.
Blood donations may be scheduled with LifeStream Blood Bank at www.LStream.org/Riverside by entering the code GCRC at check-in.
The American Red Cross plans to make virtual preparedness presentations to schools and community groups. Presentations may be scheduled by contacting Kimberly Aufrecht, preparedness manager, at 714-313 5440 or Kimberly.Aufrecht2@RedCross.org.
— David Downey
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Flags will be lowered to half-staff at all Riverside County facilities Friday, Sept. 11, in honor of Patriot Day.
Unlike prior 9/11 remembrances, there will be no ceremony at the County Administrative Center in downtown Riverside because of COVID-19 concerns, county spokeswoman Brooke Federico said.
— Jeff Horseman
TEMECULA
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, Great Oak High School’s Young America’s Foundation club will honor victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a public display of U.S. flags.
The display was placed by club members at the Temecula Duck Pond and Veterans Memorial, on the east end of the park by the gazebo.
As part of the 9/11 Never Forget Project, 2,977 flags placed by club students honor the memory of the victims in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on United Flight 93.
The memorial will be open to the public until the end of the day, Friday, Sept. 11. The park is at 28250 Ynez Road, Temecula.
— Allyson Escobar
If you have a 9/11 event to share, email us at inlandeditors@scng.com
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct errors. Dennis Frederick is a retired police sergeant who helped in the rescue effort on Sept. 11, 2001.