| Solemn ceremony held at the California Memorial |
Many hundreds of Pelco employees, honored guests and the public joined together in commemoration of the Seventh Anniversary of September 11, 2001, and to celebrate the lives of the fallen heroes from that day.
"The events of September 11, 2001, brought the world together in a moment of tragedy. I am proud to be a part of a company that is dedicated to the recognition and remembrance of those who lost so much," says Dean Meyer, Pelco President and CEO. "It is an honor to have the men and women of the armed forces, the families of fallen soldiers, law enforcement and emergency services personnel, as well as Pelco employees and community members all here."
The solemn ceremony, which began at 8:30 a.m., was held at the California Memorial-a permanent monument in memory of all the victims and fallen heroes of September 11, 2001. The ceremony included a wreath procession with motor escort accompanied by a piped rendition of "Amazing Grace." A twenty-one-gun salute, Combined Command "Fly Over," presentation of folded American flags, and singing of the National Anthem followed.
Three local families-the Hubbard and Butterfield Families of Clovis and the Rojas Family of Fresno-were each presented with a flag on behalf of their sons who were lost while serving in Iraq. A representative from Buchanan High School of Clovis, which has lost several students in Iraq, was also presented a flag.
Honored guests who attended the ceremony included: Chief Anthony Whitaker from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, and Andy Isolano, former FDNY firefighter. Both are survivors of September 11, 2001. Other honored guests included the Combined Command Military Honor Guard and numerous first responders from the local area. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.) who responded to September 11 were also present at the ceremony this year. They brought with them an F.B.I. Mobile Command Post vehicle for viewing and education.
"We must never forget the thousands of innocent men and women who went to work that day and never returned home," explained Pelco Chairman of the Board David L. McDonald. "I strongly believe that every American now shares this responsibility. We must never forget."