Rain doesn’t impact 9-11 Patriot Day

BY Dawn Rankins

The events of 9-11 21 years ago have forever changed the lives of all Americans. Canyon Lakers are determined to keep the memory of that day alive with citywide commemorations each year.

Sunday’s 9-11 Tribute and Patriots’ Day Commemoration had events stacked from early in the morning until later that evening. Most of the events on the day’s agenda corresponded with the exact time of each tragedy that day in New York City and other 9-11 locations.

The event was hosted by the Canyon Lake Veterans and First REsponders Club and co-hosted by the City of Canyon Lake and the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association. Their one common theme throughout the day was “we will never forget” and all Canyon Lakers need to remember and continue to educate their children on how that day changed the world.

Mayor Jeremy Smith

The morning of day’s events Sunday began at 8:30 a.m. with a somber remembrance ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in the Canyon Lake Town Center with councilwoman Jennifer Dain as the Master of Ceremonies.

Jennifer thanked those in attendance and even held back tears as she introduced and spoke throughout the morning on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Fellow Councilwoman Kasey Castillo led the crowd in the pledge of allegiance, followed by Canyon Lake Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse speaking about the importance of the bell that was being used throughout the day and what it stands for. The bell rang as significant events of the original 9-11 took place.

Bonnie Dubbs, a retired American Airlines flight attendant, spoke about losing two friends and other co-workers that day and how one of the fateful flights was her normal route, but she was off that day.

Bonnie said this was the first time she’s spoken about 9-11 and how that day changed her life. She tried to hold back tears as she spoke about watching the planes taken over by terrorist hit the twin towers, the Pentagon and crash in the Pennsylvania field. She spoke of the heros on those planes that day that included both her co-workers and the passengers.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

“We need to teach our children and educate them on 9-11,” Canyon Lake Mayor Jeremy Smith said. “We thank Canyon Lake for never forgetting and for stepping up. Canyon Lake, despite the pandemic, still showed honor for 9-11 and this community stepped up.”

Jeremy went on to thank the fire department for always putting the community first, and then he asked for a moment of silence for the lives lost in the Hemet fire before introducing Fire Chief LaTendresse again.

The fire chief shared how 11 years prior to the 9-11 attacks, he and his wife had their first date on Sept. 11, 1990. A once-special day had shifted to tragedy.

The morning of the attacks, as they awoke, they turned on the TV to breaking news and watched the first attack on the North Tower.

“I rushed out to the fire station where I worked in Laguna Beach and woke up the firefighters and had them gather in the kitchen as they watched the news,” he said. “As firefighters, we went into tactical mode: how would we set up if called to New York to help and what protocols would we put into place? Each and every one of us said that morning that if they called upon us to help, we would go. As brothers and sisters in the fire department, there is no question about going where you are needed.”

The day’s events included ringing the city’s newly-dedicated bell at the exact time of the crashes.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

At 8:46 a.m., the first bell rang in remembrance of Flight 11, the plane that was flown by terrorists into the North Tower. At 9:03 a.m., the second bell rang for Flight 175 that crashed into the South Tower. Then a third bell ringing took place at 9:37 a.m. for Flight 77 that crashed into the western side of the Pentagon. Finally, the final bell rang at 10:03 a.m. for Flight 93 that crashed into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Before the morning wrapped up, April McKinnon sang the National Anthem and Jennifer Dain called up Jennifer Lawrence, who stood next to the bell. Jennifer Lawrence had built a stand for the bell which represented the twin towers. She had a vision for what the stand would look like and she made sure to carry out that vision to honor those who perished in the twin towers.

When asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak about their memory of that day in history, Steve Prince spoke about how he had friends in one of the towers.

“I’m from Manhattan, and I knew people who worked in the towers,” he said. “I thank the City of New York, its firefighters and all those on the front line that day and all the days afterward.”

The morning finished up with those in attendance hugging each other, shedding some tears and sharing some moments of reflection around the bell.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

The day wasn’t over, though. At 3:00 p.m., more than 75 golf carts lined up or jumped into the parade of carts that left from Eastport and traversed down Canyon Lake Drive.

They showed their spirit of patriotism along the parade route, which terminated at the Canyon Lake Lodge. The carts were adorned with flags and other patriotic decorations, and they drove along the route waving to parade watchers. Some of the carts handed out flags to those on the side of the street.

The parade was led by the Fire Chief in the command vehicle, followed by a fire engine and golf carts. Food vendors, other vendors, games and live music took place at the Lodge after the parade concluded.

Rain didn’t keep the Canyon Lake faithful from the commemoration. They stayed throughout the afternoon and showed their support for the victims of 9-11.

When the evening events came around, organizer and Canyon Lake POA board member Tim Cook was recognized for being one of the leaders who made the event possible.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

“I’m not good at speeches, but I do want to thank everyone here tonight,” Tim said. “I would like to again thank the POA, the City and the volunteers on our committee. Most of all, I’d like to thank the members of our community, for without you, we would not have had this event. Canyon Lake never disappoints and I just want to say thank you to everyone who came together. I love Canyon Lake, I love my community and days like today are what remind me of how lucky I am to live here.”

Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse spoke to those gathered at the evening event. He said, “We risk a little for a little, we risk nothing for nothing and we risk everything for everything.” He then read the fireman’s prayer, a poem by A.W “Smokey” Linn:

“When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage, give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age, help me to embrace a little child before it’s too late or some older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and give the best in me, to guard my neighbor and protect his property, and if according to your will I have to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand, my children and my wife.”

He said he read this same poem back on the day of the attaches in 2001.

Photo by Trisha Brown

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco spoke and reminded the audience to remember what they felt like on 9-12-2001, the day after the attacks.

“Remember how proud we were to be an American,” he said. “We didn’t care about race or what someone believed in. We were united and stood together. Canyon Lake is one of my favorite places to be. It’s a fantastic community and I wish everyone had the pride in America like you do here in Canyon Lake.”

Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto also participated in the evening ceremony.

“What binds us together is stronger than our differences,” he said. “Pass along these heroic stories to our future generations. This community has never forgotten and never will. We support not only each other, but our law enforcement.”

The evening at the Lodge was spent with Canyon Lakers remembering what’s important in life through moments of silence and reflection. Young children shook hands with the Sheriff. Hugs and tears were shared throughout the evening.

The night finished off with the community gazing into the sky at twin blue beams that were turned on at 9:11 p.m. The lights, of course, represented the two towers that fell that day.

The UCR Band of Bagpipes and Drums played solemn music and marched off the grass area while the twin beams burned bright in the Canyon Lake sky.

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Dawn Rankins

Photo by Trisha Brown