This Saturday, Americans will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 — the date of the deadliest foreign attacks ever on U.S. soil. All told, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the New York, Washington and Pennsylvania attacks, and thousands of first responders succumbed in the following years to 9/11-related medical conditions.
Here’s a roundup of some Bay Area memorials scheduled to mark the day:
San Jose, firefighter procession: The San Jose Fire Department’s Patriot Day commemoration will start with a uniformed procession at 9:45 a.m. from South Market and West San Fernando streets to Fire Station One, 255 N. Market St., where a brief outdoor ceremony will be held at 10:10 a.m. That will be followed by an 11 a.m. reception at the San Jose Fire Museum, 201 N. Market St. The event will be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/SanJoseFD/ for those who can’t attend in person.
Livermore-Pleasanton, 10 fire stations: To prevent a large gathering, this year’s outdoor remembrance will consist of short ceremonies at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department’s 10 fire stations. At 9:45 a.m., fire personnel, elected officials and the public will meet at each station’s flagpole. A moment of silence will be observed at 9:59 a.m., the time the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, followed by the lowering of flags to half-staff. www.cityoflivermore.net/citygov/fire
Los Gatos, Veterans Memorial: The Flame of Liberty Veterans Foundation will host a tribute to victims, survivors and heroes on the town of Los Gatos’ Civic Center lawn near the Veterans Memorial site. A 12:30 p.m. concert will be followed at 1 p.m. by the ceremony. 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos; https://honoravet.org
Pleasanton, fairgrounds: Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert will host the 10 a.m. ceremony featuring speakers, the 395th Army Band, Alameda County Fire chaplain Larry Vold and a three-volley salute from VFW Post 6298 and American Legion Post 237. Those attending should park at the ACE Train parking lot, enter at the fairgrounds’ Yellow Gate, 4501 Pleasanton Ave. Details at www.eventbrite.com/e/911-memorial-ceremony-tickets-166816166645, along with a Zoom link to watch from home.
Union City, Flight 93 memorial: With pandemic safety in mind and to discourage a large group from gathering, this city — home to the nation’s first memorial for United Airlines Flight 93 — will host an abbreviated ceremony at 10 a.m. featuring an invocation from the Rev. Albert Valencia and remarks by memorial creator Michael Emerson and Vice Mayor Pat Gacoscos. Residents are encouraged to pay their respects at the memorial at other times throughout the day. Sugar Mill Landing Park, Alvarado-Niles Road and Dyer Street.
Danville, All Wars Memorial: A fly-over will precede the Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley’s 4:20 p.m. ceremony at the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park. Retired Air Force Major David Yuers will be the keynote speaker, and the event will feature a flag procession by Scouts and the Monte Vista High School chamber choir. The cemetery memorial at 3005 Stone Valley Road in Danville is wheelchair-accessible. www.danville.ca.gov
Hayward, candlelight vigil: The city of Hayward will host a community gathering and candlelight vigil starting at 6:30 p.m. at the new Heritage Plaza across from the Hayward 9/11 Memorial. Those taking part are invited to walk the plaza and leave mementos and messages at any of the 20 memorial stations honoring victims, first responders, veterans and others. At 7:21 p.m. a moment of silence will be observed. 835 C St., Hayward; www.hayward-ca.gov
San Jose, Oak Hill Memorial Park: Annual gathering featuring a wreath ceremony, the posting of the colors by American Legion Post 419 and patriotic solos will start at 10 a.m. at the 9/11 Memorial on the cemetery grounds. Speakers will include Jeff and Yvonne Heiderich, family friends of the pilot of Flight 93, Jason Dahl. 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose. www.dignitymemorial.com
Clayton, 9/11 Memorial Display: From now through Sept. 13, members of the public are invited to pay their respects at the flag memorial outside Clayton Fire Station 11, where each flag represents one of the first responders who perished that day. Many of the 415 flag displays tell the stories of those fire and police department victims. The display is illuminated at night for evening visitors. 6500 Center St., Clayton; www.cccfpd.org
Alameda, USS Hornet: Aboard the USS Hornet Air, Sea & Space Museum, the Walking Ghosts of Black History will lead the 11 a.m. memorial that includes speakers, a special exhibit, a color guard and a wreath toss. All first responders and their families (with proper ID, two adults and two children) will be allowed onto the ship for free. 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda. https://uss-hornet.org
Know of other events? Email us at local@bayareanewsgroup.com