Churches, Fire Stations to Have 9/11 Ceremonies

Moorpark residents looking for ways to mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks—the loss as well as the heroism and outpouring of compassion—have a number of opportunities to join others in the community at memorials and observances. And they seem to have plans to do so.

One church, for example, had such an overwhelming response to its scheduled program, a speaker who survived the collapse of the Twin Towers, that its had to change venues to accommodate the number of people who want to come.

Hosted by , 9/11 survivor Judith Francis will speak at the Performing Arts Center at at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Sign up for them on the Life Spring website.

Here are some other 9/11 observances taking place in the county.

Moorpark

and Moorpark's fire stations 40 and 42 will join the rest of the Ventura County Fire Protection District as each station, starting at 6:45 a.m., will have a ceremony with a flag raising and broadcast series of bells, which are traditionally used by the fire service to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The bells will sound at 6:59 to coincide with the collapse of the World Trade Center South Tower.

At 10 a.m., the fire stations will participate in a national moment of remembrance. At that time, firefighters will assemble outside near flagpoles and observe another minute of silence.

The church hosts Pastor Ramazan Arkan of Turkey, who will join Pastor Dave Wilkinson for a dialogue sermon. Arkan was raised Muslim. There will be time for Q&As as well as scripture readings, prayer, songs and images from Sept. 11, 2001 to the present. Services are at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The church is at 13950 Peach Hill Road.

Beyond Moorpark

Camarillo’s Constitution Park: This remembrance ceremony will include an honoring of the flag, music, a moment of silence and more at 4 p.m. The city encourages the public to bring lawn chairs. Light refreshments will be available. The park is at 601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo.

Ronald Reagan Library: Listen to live music (beginning at 4:15 p.m.) prior to the official 5 p.m. start of the ceremony at the Reagan Library that will include speakers Rear Admiral Rober Girrier, commander Carrier Strike Group Seven, Lt. Col. Tim Karcher and New York Firefighter Lt. John McCole. There will also be a 1.8-mile walk to Rancho Madera Community Park followed by light refreshments, musical entertainment and transportation back to the library.

Ventura County Government Center: This ceremony will include a traditional bell ceremony, flag ceremony, a helicopter fly-over, bagpipes and other musical tributes beginning at 11 a.m. on the center’s lawn between the Law Enforcement, Firefighter's and Veteran's memorials. The government center is at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura.