As the nation marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, events are planned throughout Orange County to remember the lives lost and honor the sacrifice and heroism of that day.
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Here are several of the tributes and events planned; they are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, unless otherwise noted:
Dana Point: A special ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks will be held during the Dana Point High football game against Long Beach Wilson. Before the game begins at 5 p.m. at Spencer Stadium, student-athletes will escort local veterans and first responders onto the field for a ceremony and commemorative presentation. The event includes a color guard, an aerial flyover, and participation from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Dana Point VFW, 5th Marine Regiment and the city of Dana Point. Tickets are $11. Students and seniors pay $6.
Fullerton: A community remembrance will include the reading of the 3,029 names of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held at 863 N. Woods Ave., where an outdoor memorial display is open for viewing from dawn to dusk daily through Friday. Information: cityoffullerton.com
Huntington Beach: A Patriot Day Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. in the Pier Plaza off Main Street and the Pacific Coast Highway to remember those who died and those who rushed to rescue people. The remembrance will be hosted by the American Legion Post 133 and the city’s fire and police departments.
Also, on Sept. 19 there will be a Tunnel to Tower Foundation run/walk starting at City Beach in Huntington Beach. Get information and register at runwalkhuntingtonbeach.t2t.org.
Irvine: The Orange County Fire Authority will host its annual remembrance at its headquarters, where there is a 9/11 Memorial with a piece of steel beam from Tower 2. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and will include a bell-ringing ceremony and remarks. The ceremony will also be livestreamed at Facebook.com/OCFireAuthority.
Also, the Irvine Barclay Theater will host “Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story” at 5 p.m. on Sept. 27. The show “is a powerful live fusion of storytelling, music, and theatre exploring the human impact of Sept. 11 and the war that followed.” Participating will be World Trade Center firefighter Bill Spade and combat veteran Jaymes Poling. Information and tickets: thebarclay.org.
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Mission Viejo: Mission for Heroes Foundation is teaming with the city to host a remembrance event in connection with the Mission Viejo High football game. The Mission for Heroes Game events will begin with a 5 to 7 p.m. concert in the high school parking lot with Redneck Rodeo (cost is $10). There will be a pregame ceremony and the 2026 Konrad Reuland Community Hero Award nominees will be honored. Information: missionforheroes.com/pages/mission-for-heroes-game.
Rancho Santa Margarita: A Patriot Day commemoration will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Plaza to “remember the lives lost, honor the courage and sacrifice of our first responders, and reflect on the resilience and unity that followed that tragic day.”
San Juan Capistrano: The city is hosting an 8:30 a.m. commemoration at the Patriot Hill Flagpole. Information: sanjuancapistrano.org.
Tustin: Fairhaven Memorial Park is hosting a remembrance ceremony and walk from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. It is still looking for walkers to sign up to have at least 343 people to represent each of the New York Fire Department firefighters who died while responding to the World Trade Center attacks. Flags will be placed on the memorial lawn in honor of each of the firefighters.
Yorba Linda: The Nixon Presidential Library & Museum has been displaying two beams of light each night from 7 to 9:30 p.m. above the library in commemoration of Sept. 11.
On Friday, the Nixon Library’s annual commemoration will be held at 11 a.m. and include remarks from Tom Frost, father of United Flight 175 passenger Lisa Anne Frost, as well as leaders with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Fire Authority and a presentation of the colors. There will also be patriotic performances. The ceremony is open to the public, but registration at richardnixonfoundation.ticketspice.com/remembering-911 is recommended.
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