Many gather at IVC Theater for 9/11 remembrance

Cathy Lee Taylor

A crowd of people joined in on Tuesday’s yearly ceremony hosted by Irvine Valley College to honor the victims and first responders of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

 

Diane Oaks ([email protected]), IVC Director of Public Information and Marketing, said about this event, “We want to always remember the first responders that saved so many lives on that momentous day of 9/11. And at the same time, we want to acknowledge the men and women right here, our police and fire workers, who protect our lives and property every day. We honor want to honor the service of all U.S. first responders.”

 

From young to old, people to pets, dozens of people filled the IVC Theater for the Performing Arts (http://www.ivcarts.org/) at noon to remember and honor the American lives lost on Sept. 11; as well as to celebrate and send love to their families, our vets and all of our local First Responders including police and fire departments.

 Mirjam Meili, and IVC student, said, “I am here because I almost lost a dear family friend on 9/11 and my friend, Daniel Lewis, and I want to show our gratitude for everyone involved in helping that day. We want to remember and show our support.”

The occasion was opened by Will Glen, Chief of Police for Irvine Valley College and a Color Guard honored the stage and our veterans with a Presentation of Flags while a slide show that portrayed the unity of the people of the United States of America.

 

Highlights included several city officials including the Honorable Sukhee Kang, Mayor of Irvine, the Honorable Sandra Hutchens, OC Sheriff, as well as the Police Chief David L. Maggard Jr. for the City of Irvine and our Fire Chief Keith Richter, OC Fire Authority; as well as a moment of silence in commemoration of those lives lost.

When asked, “What would you like to hear the President say today to commemorate 9/11?”, Christopher Lawson, a Saddleback College and Cal State Fullerton alumni, said, “I would like to hear some dialog about forgiveness.

 

“As a nation, of course we will never forget 9/11 – but as time continues, it seems like everyone could benefit from hearing more about forgiveness in order to further foster the healing of our nation and those who still grieve for their loved ones. As a nation, forgiveness is a gift we can give ourselves.”

Mr. Lawson is not alone in the sentiment of wanting to help the U.S. people heal. Among the audience was Jamaal Diwan, the Resident Scholar of the Islamic Center of Irvine and his wife Muslema Purmul. When asked why they attended this ceremony, Jamaal said, “For the same reason that everyone else is here. We want to remember the lives lost on 9/11 and the heroes that took part in their rescue. Our heart goes out to all of their families and loved ones.”

JamaaLDiwan’s center can be found through www.icoi.net.

 

People of all backgrounds joined together in remembrance of the 11-year anniversary of 9/11.

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