By TR Robertson
Originally scheduled to be held in front of the Vista Civic Center, the hot weather led to the move of Friday’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to the Morris B. Vance Community Room at the Vista Civic Center. This ceremony was but one of hundreds of ceremonies taking place throughout the nation in remembrance and tribute to those who died in the never-to-be-forgotten terrorist attack on the United States. Entering the Community Room and looking toward the front where the ceremony would take place, a large banner hung with “9/11: We Remember Those We Lost” on the top and, in smaller print, the names of the 2,753 people who were killed when the Twin Towers collapsed in New York City. This number includes the 343 New York City Firefighters, 23 New York City Police Officers, and 37 Port Authority Police Officers. Also perishing on this day were 184 people on the ground and on American Airlines Flight 77 in the attack on the Pentagon, and the 40 passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93 when passengers fought back to bring down the flight into a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a flight whose target was believed to be the White House.
This solemn day’s ceremony began with an introduction by Deputy Fire Chief Operations of Vista Fire Rescue, Miles Sweeney. The Chief welcomed those in attendance, pointing out that on this day in 2001, this horrendous event marked the greatest rescue effort in American Fire History. Today also represents the 25th Anniversary of this attack on America by terrorists. The Chief said that, yes, we should honor and remember those who died, but we should also remember those who were saved and the courageous efforts and exemplary sacrifice made by the rescuers. He said we are here to mourn those we lost and remember and honor those who were rescued, as well as all the agencies responsible for the rescue efforts.
Next, the Vista Fire and Rescue Honor Guard presented the colors. Miles then introduced the San Diego Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play – 2025, Lena Caja, who sang the National Anthem. Lena is a cast member of Moonlight Stage Productions’ current musical, “Come From Away,” the story of the small Newfoundland town of Gander that, for five days, housed 38 airplanes that were part of the FAA grounding all flights over the United States beginning on 9/11/2001, and Gander hosted over 7,000 passengers and crew members. Following the National Anthem, Vista Fire Rescue Chaplain Conner McFadden delivered an invocation.
Chief Sweeney then introduced a series of speakers who delivered short presentations about what this day meant to them. Vista Mayor John Franklin was the first speaker. The Mayor said today is fitting and proper to remember not only those who passed away, but those who helped others to survive the horrible events that occurred. He said everyone should take time out to remember this day. Next, Vista Deputy Mayor Daniel O’Donnell spoke. He spoke about the courage shown by Welles Crowther, a man now known as the Man in the Red Bandana. Miles always kept a red bandana with him, ever since he was 6. He was a 24-year-old equities trader and a former volunteer fireman in his hometown. He is said to have helped 18 people out of the South Tower before perishing when Tower 2 fell. For a long time, his name wasn’t known because he was wearing the bandana to cover his mouth and nose from the smoke. Today, the Boston College vs. Rutgers football game is known as the Red Bandana Game, as Welles graduated from Boston College. Boston College players wore jerseys with red bandana sleeves and “Remember Welles” on their helmets. They also had a #37 on the helmets representing the 37 Boston College graduates who were killed in the collapse of the Towers and For Welles on the back of their jerseys. Daniel said this courageous young man showed the type of courage all 1st Responders have and this day should always be a day we don’t forget.
Vista City Councilmember Katie Melendez read a remembrance by a survivor who was sleeping in the Marriot Hotel, close to the former location of the Twin Towers. Frank Razzano was awakened with a loud boom, shaking and falling debris as the Marriot also suffered damage as the Towers collapsed. Frank wrote that he never gave up and kept leading others, descending from floor to floor, trying to get away from the destruction all around them until he got to safety. Vista Councilmember Jeff Fox said he was a teenager when 9/11 occurred. He said at the time he didn’t understand the totality of what happened and the importance of the courage others showed and what it represented. He said as he grew older and saw the unity this horrible event brought out in the United States, the significance of the day, of remembering, honoring and celebrating those that stood up in the face of destruction.
Newly promoted Vista Deputy Sheriff Captain David LaDieu said he was in boot camp when 9/11 occurred. He said the one thing he remembers seeing, after boot camp, was the 1st Responders who ran toward danger without hesitation and in the days following 9/11 the rise of service and duty shown by fire departments, police officers, port authority police officers, city officials and anyone else whose commitment is service to the public. Captain LaDieu also stressed the importance of always remembering both those that lost their lives and those that saved lives and the same commitment shown by all these departments today. The final speaker was Fire Chief Gerard Washington. He also said that as well as remembering the dedication shown on 9/11, we should also always remember the dedication shown today by fire, police, EMT’s, public workers and all whose job is to safeguard the public today. He said to also remember the commitment their families have made and the importance these individuals have made and the courage they need to show. He said,
“Courage doesn’t mean you’re never afraid, courage means you don’t let fear stop you”.
The Chief said he will never forget the responsibility he has as our Fire Chief. He said we should take pride in the City of Vista and the Fire and Rescue Services and law enforcement department we have.
The closing of the Remembrance Ceremony was the “Tolling of the Bell” and ringing of the “Four Fives”, playing of taps, and ceremonial placement of a memorial wreath. This is a fire service tradition to honor a fire fighter or national figure who has died in the line of duty. It dates back to 1865 first done after the death of Abraham Lincoln. Fire Chief Washington thanked those in attendance and brought the ceremony to a close.
