Sierra Madre Community Pitches in for 9/11 Memorial

A memorial to the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that’s been nearly a decade in the making will be unveiled this Sunday in East Pasadena on New York Drive. Among those aiding in the effort are many groups, organizations and individuals from right here in Sierra Madre.

Former Sierra Madre Mayor and current Member Joe Mosca will attend, along with , and members of the including Jim Osterling and Tom Brady, both of whom are also members of the Pasadena 911 Memorial Organizing Committee.

Newly appointed Principal Esther Salinas and Principal Joanne Harabedian, along with other local educators, will also be on hand for the unveiling.

Capt. John McDannel, a retired United Airlines pilot who narrowly missed being assigned one of the deadly UA flights on Sept. 11, 2001, is the event chairman and will be on hand to welcome visitors and dignitaries as well as share his plan for the future of the memorial.

McDannel has been working for the last decade with the goal of erecting a Pasadena memorial to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Prior to his time flying for United, McDannel flew in the United State Air Force.

Since then, McDannel has solicited and received donations of trees, 140 of which he has personally planted along New York Drive over the past decade, in an effort intended to serve as a living memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"I couldn't do anything to retaliate, so I planted trees," McDannel said in a press release announcing the unveiling event.  "We are looking forward to an important kick-off to the permanent memorial to 9-11 in Pasadena.”

But McDannel is far from done with his plans.

His eventual goal for the tribute includes creating a “Memorial Lake” in the Eaton Canyon basin parkland. McDannel is also working with the Port Authority of New York in an effort to secure two steal I-beams from the former World Trade Center towers to eventually be included in the memorial.

Along with the main attraction, event organizers have arranged for four F-18 fighter jets to perform a flyover, fresh from their duties in the skies above the war in Afghanistan.   

Additionally, honor guard presentations will be made, food trucks and other refreshments will be available at noon and the Pasadena City College Lancer Marching Band will perform.

All parents, students and community members are welcome and are being strongly encouraged to attend by event organizers.

"As an American, I think it's important for all of us to never forget the bravery, human sacrifice and events of that fateful day. Firefighters, police, EMTs, military in uniform, schools, Rotary members, civic clubs, veterans and citizens are welcome to attend. Patriotism is alive and well in Pasadena,” McDannel said.

The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, at the intersection of New York Drive and Bradley Street in East Pasadena, just outside Sierra Madre. This location will host the memorial ceremony and signage that will be unveiled for public view.

Grandstand seating for 480 people has been donated by Sharp Seating of Pasadena, and organizers say that parking will be available for up to 1,500 cars.

Those interested in contributing to the nonprofit memorial fund can find more information on the organization’s website.