Public safety agencies and communities across the Southland will commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Thursday, including an annual remembrance ceremony featuring a bagpipers, a helicopter flyover and the ringing of “10-Bells” in downtown Los Angeles.
Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva of the Los Angeles Fire Department will join Mayor Karen Bass, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and Sheriff Robert Luna, among other elected officials and distinguished guests, for the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the LAFD’s Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, 1700 Stadium Way.
Villanueva and McDonnell are expected to ring “10-Bells,” a solemn tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the first responders on that day.
All Los Angeles County departments are expected to fly the U.S. and county flags at half-staff to honor the lives lost in the terrorist attacks. On Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Board Chair Kathryn Barger to proclaim Sept. 11, 2025, as “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.”
“The tragedy of September 11th will remain forever engraved in our hearts and minds,” Barger said in a statement. “That terrible day is a solemn reminder of the fragility of life, the courage of first responders, and the resilience of our country. As we mark 9/11’s 24th anniversary, I urge everyone in Los Angeles County to reflect on the lives lost and honor their memory by engaging in acts of service that strengthen our communities.”
Barger is scheduled to join Antelope Valley residents and first responders for a remembrance event she is co-hosting with the Antelope Valley 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Governance Board. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Antelope Valley’s Mall main entrance, 1233 W. Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale.
Additional events include:
— The San Gabriel Fire Department will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance and Tribute Ceremony, featuring a display of mini flags on the station’s front lawn, each bearing the name of a fallen responder, and a march and tribute by the Verdugo Fire Communications Center Dispatch, starting at 6:30 a.m. at the San Gabriel Fire Station 51, 1303 S. Del Mar Ave.;
— Hermosa Beach will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony, featuring remarks by Mayor Rob Saemann and other guests, an Honor Guard’s Posting of the Colors, ceremonial music and a moment of silence, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Hermosa Beach 9/11 Memorial, at the intersection of Greenbelt and Pier Avenue;
— L.A. Works, Los Angeles’ largest volunteer action center, will mark the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance with a volunteer event supporting veterans, scheduled for 9 a.m. at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd.
— Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Police Chief Wally Hebeish and Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan will take part in a memorial ceremony in honor of those who died in the terror attack, which will include a moment of silence, a Last Alarm tribute and ceremonial wreath placement, scheduled for 9:05 a.m. at Fire Station 1, 100 Magnolia Ave.
— American Legion Post 283 will hold a reception marking the end of the Shepherd’s Men 9/11 Tribute Ruck March, a 22-mile journey through Los Angeles carrying symbolic waste “in a profound gesture of remembrance,” scheduled at 3 p.m. at 15247 La Cruz Drive in Pacific Palisades;
— Concluding the day’s events, Jewish congregants at Sinai Temple will hear from a group of Muslim leaders from Egypt, Morocco and Bahrain discussing their “shared commitment to peace as war continues to rage on in Gaza nearly two years after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.” The LAFD will also be honored during the event, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd.
In Orange County, several events are also scheduled, including the following:
— The Orange County Fire Authority will host a ceremony featuring an honor guard and bell ringing ceremony, which will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/OCFireAuthority, at 8:30 a.m. at the Regional Fire Operations and Training Center, 1 Fire Authority Rd. in Irvine;
— Laguna Beach first responders and city officials will host a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at Monument Point, Heisler Park, 375 Cliff Drive;
— The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda will host its annual remembrance ceremony, featuring remarks by Sheriff Don Barnes, OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy and retired Marine Lt. Col. Grant Williams, and music performances, at 11 a.m. at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.