On a very bright and blessed Sunday morning, a week ago on September 11, 2016, I was very eager to head to the Centennial Plaza located in the heart of my beautiful city of El Cajon, California, to join my community leaders & citizens where the seventh annual 9 / 11 Memorial Ceremony took place. It was hosted by Senator Joel Anderson in remembrance of the 15th anniversary of the tragic attacks that devastated America on September 11, 2011, and to take part in commemorating the 2,977 innocent lives lost that day. That is why it is still important we come together as one to remember these lives.
I was very inspired to join our city officials and community leaders on such loving ceremony on that beautiful day along with Father Noel Gorgis and a few other members from our Chaldean community where America is their country and home, especially for our refugees from Iraq who are coming here to America to find peace and liberty as one Iraqi high-school student spoke during the ceremony.
The ceremony began with a presentation by the Drum Core and Color Guard bringing flags to the stage for the National Anthem. The MC from the Senator’s office welcomed everyone and the Honorable Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon was the first speaker among many others from: The Regional American Red Cross, the San Diego Elk’s, the Office of Senator Anderson, Representatives from Steele Canyon & El Cajon Valley High Schools, and the El Cajon Police.
The final part of the program was the participation of attendees who were asked to tie Yellow Ribbons onto American Flags which were lined on the green lawn aside for the 2,977 innocent lives America lost on that day.
September 11th will never be forgotten!
Wasan Jarbo
