9/11 Memorial At Home of Fullerton Firefighter

FULLERTON, CA —Scott Townley will never forget the attacks on the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and the plane that went down in a Pennsylvania field 18 years ago. The feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and worry that consumed our nation.

Though many firefighters journeyed to the towers, Townley was one who remained behind. Just four days after the attacks, the Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter painted a large sign and posted it, and 50 small waving American flags, in his front yard.

In Honor of the Heroes and
Innocent People Who Perished,
Sept. 11, 2001.
We will never forget.

Townley never has.

That memorial drew flags, flowers, teddy bears, candles, and other items from those who stopped to pay their respects. He decided to continue the monument annually.

Each year, he has it placed by Sept. 6 in the front yard of his Fullerton home, where it remains until Sept. 12.

In 2019, he has added a model of the twin towers that light up blue at night, OCFA Capt. Jon Muir told Patch.

The model sits amid flags bearing the names of all who perished in the towers on that fateful morning.

Townley's home has become a place of remembrance for many who pause to remember that horrific day in American history.

If you ask, "where were you when the world stopped turning," everyone has a story or memory. For some, there is an even more personal connection.

Orange County firefighter Scott Townley awaits the crowds as he has for each of the 18 anniversaries, but he is also already planning for the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Last year, Townley added the names of victims who have died since Sept. 11, 2001, to his memorial, along with additional flags. Already, many people have paused to pay respects at the monument in front of the firefighter's home.

Townley hasn't seen a waning of interest in marking the anniversary of the attacks.

In 2018, he added nearly 40 names of the military (troops) lost, Townley said. That tradition continues each year, growing the number of lives remembered each year.

In 2018, he added over 3,300 pictures of victims mounted on 12 four-by-eight walls. He honors the first-responders who died from injuries sustained from digging out Ground Zero in New York City, he said.

Find the memorial at 863 N. Woods Avenue, Fullerton, CA.