On Sept. 11, 2001, Jerrold Paskins, a 57-year-old insurance executive from Anaheim Hills, was in the north tower of the World Trade Center when, at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the 93rd floor.
Two-year-old Christine Lee Hanson was with her parents aboard Flight 175 from Boston to Southern California for her first trip to Disneyland when the plane crashed into the 77th floor of the World Trade Center’s south tower at 9:03 a.m.
Pilot Charles Burlingame, who grew up in Anaheim, was piloting American Airlines Flight 77 that day when the plane crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.
The three, with ties to Anaheim, were among the nearly 3,000 who perished on Sept. 11, 2001, who were remembered in a ceremony Friday morning at Anaheim Fire Station 3, along with the many more who died from 9/11-related illnesses in the weeks, months and years that followed.
Anaheim Fire Chief Pat Russell reflects on the 25 years since 9/11 during an anniversary ceremony at the city’s Fire Station 3 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in a moment of silence during a wreath-laying ceremony at Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim Fire and Police officers file in as Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 begins at Fire Station 3 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim fire and police officers stand at attention during the playing of the National Anthem at Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Michel Bowidowicz rings the Last Bell during Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A joint Anaheim Fire and Police honor guard present the colors during the playing of the National Anthem at Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 at Fire Station 3 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid presents a few remarks during Anaheim’s 25th anniversary observance of 9/11 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim fire engine 3 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Anaheim Fire Chief Pat Russell, second from left, and Police Chief Manny Cid, third from left, salute after placing wreaths in observance of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at Fire Station 3 in Anaheim on Friday, September 11, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
First responders from Anaheim Fire & Rescue and the Anaheim Police Department, along with Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and other officials, gathered for the remembrance ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.
“I remember being a child when the Challenger explosion happened,” Aitken said. “My parents remember being a young couple when President Kennedy was shot. Today, I remember every moment of (Sept. 11), calling friends that I knew worked in downtown New York, roommates from college that I knew worked in surrounding buildings.”
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Chief Pat Russell recalled being on duty that day, and the days and weeks that followed.
“For those who remember Sept. 11, the images of that morning have never completely left us,” Russell said. “We remember the uncertainty, we remember the fear, and we remember the extraordinary courage of first responders. For me, today is also personal because 25 years ago, I was assigned to this very station, Station 3.”
Russell recounted the mobilization of California Task Force 5, assembled to respond to Ground Zero, and recalled the “eerie quiet” in the skies as flights, including theirs, were grounded, save for military aircraft patrolling overhead.
“Anaheim itself became unusually quiet,” Russell said. “Disneyland did not open that day. Guests remained in their hotels. Baseball stopped. The Honda Center became a place for blood drives.”
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City leaders took turns speaking about those with Anaheim connections who were killed and about the tragedy of the attacks.
Burlingame, a graduate of Anaheim High School who was known as “Chic,” was among the 59 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 77 who died that day, along with another 125 inside the Pentagon.
The Navy veteran wasn’t initially scheduled to pilot Flight 77, but volunteered for the Los Angeles-bound trip so he could celebrate his birthday on Sept. 12 with his brother at an Angels game. He would have turned 52.
Paskins was in New York on a business trip, conducting an insurance audit on the 78th floor of the north tower when Flight 11 struck several floors above.
Hanson was the youngest of eight children killed in the attack.
“Then as now,” Aitken said, “the best thing you can do to honor this day is to go home and hug your kids, your spouse or call your mom. Those simple acts of kindness happened by the millions after 9/11. They are just as powerful today and are one of the best ways we can honor those lost 25 years ago.”
The ceremony began with a presentation of the colors by a joint honor guard made up of Anaheim Fire and Anaheim Police personnel, followed by the singing of the national anthem.
Ceremonial rituals also included laying wreaths, followed by a moment of silence and sounding the last alarm bell.
Anaheim’s 9/11 25th anniversary ceremony can be viewed on Anaheim.net/TV or on the city’s YouTube channel.
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