Tonight at 9:11, lights to shine

The massive Canyon Lake 9/11 Tribute in Lights taking place tonight at 9:11 p.m. all began with a small group taking matters into its own hands upon hearing New York City was canceling its annual 9/11 tribute. New Yorkers now living in the community, but who were in the city on 9/11, were angry and intent on making sure at least Canyon Lake would “Never Forget.”

The New York City event has been restored after pressure applied from all over the country, but the momentum generated by Brian Bock and Esgar DeCasperis in Canyon Lake wasn’t to be slowed. Their initial effort has resulted in blue light sightings all over Canyon Lake as people prepare for the turning on of the lights tonight in a united tribute to those who lost their lives and were impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

This blue-lighted memorial was constructed by Joe and Kenni Potter to commemorate Canyon Lake’s 9/11 Tribute in Light and sits in their front yard. Hundreds of Canyon Lakers are doing something similar for the 9:11 p.m. tribute. Photo by Joe Potter.

The group has grown to dozens of sponsors, including both the City of Canyon Lake and the Canyon Lake POA. Two beams of blue light will be projected into the sky from within Canyon Lake. The group is also looking for resident participation and is asking all those in Canyon Lake to purchase blue lights and turn them on at 9:11 p.m. tonight. Some are projecting lights onto their houses, turning them blue, while others are putting signs up, some lit in blue lights.

“On Sept. 11, 2001, our country lost almost 3,000 people in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC and a plane that was brought down in Shanksville, PA,” Brian said. “People from all over the world perished in these attacks. Since that day, thousands of first responders, rescue, search and recovery personnel (many of whom were volunteers) have been stricken with illnesses and a number have passed away from these illnesses due to lack of proper PPE and after statements that the air quality was okay for them to work at Ground Zero.”

After hearing that, because of COVID-19, New York City had decided to forgo the annual ceremonial reading of the names of the deceased and to cancel the “Tribute in Light,” the two beams of blue lights that shine to the heavens, Esgar and Brian sprang into action. It was then that the two, both from New York, began posting on Facebook how outraged they were that New York City had cancelled these memorials.

Brian began a Facebook page titled “9/11 Tribute in Light – Canyon Lake.”  There are nearly 1,000 members of the private group, most of whom are blue lighting their homes or yards.

A small committee formed, including Mayor Pro Tem Kasey Castillo, and it began brainstorming ideas to make sure that even if New York was cancelling the memorials, Canyon Lakers will “Never Forget” the shocking and horrific acts of 9/11.

The committee began acquiring sponsors (see its ad in this week’s Friday Flyer for a list) and planned for the event. Henry Becerra volunteered to take drone video of the community in lights. With the help of fellow committee members Jill Liles Batinich, Karen Bevans, Judith Bock, Danielle Britton, Kasey Castillo, Tim Cook, Shari Sacks Gonzalez and Rolando Gonzalez, (owners of SRG Design who created shirts for the event) and Jeannie Hoonkou, the committee met weekly on Zoom calls and had daily group messaging with updates.

All of this came together within four weeks of Sept. 11, Brian said. The committee brainstormed ideas and worked to figure out who to reach out to for sponsorship. The city issued a Proclamation to Canyon Lake. Donations started coming in from all over, including New York and Pennsylvania. Several Canyon Lake clubs made donations to help offset costs. The POA and city have provided support towards the effort.

Profits from the sales of the shirts and from donations in excess of the costs to run the event will go to the Inland Empire Blue Belles, a charity organization that supports and provides assistance to law enforcement families adversely affected in the line of duty.

“We are looking forward to seeing Canyon Lake Light Up In Blue at 9:11 p.m. on Sept. 11,” Brian said. “We thank all of the Canyon Lake community for coming together to Never Forget.”