Watch CBS News

Bay Area Events Mark 14th Anniversary Of September 11th Terror Attacks

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- First responders, government officials and residents at several Bay Area gatherings Friday recalled those who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attack in 2001.

In San Francisco Friday morning, firefighters rolled out fire trucks at all 44 fire stations and assembled in front of flag poles as each station's bell rang at 6:59 a.m. to signify the time of the South Tower collapse, fire department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.

Firefighters lowered each station's flag at 7 a.m. and those present were silent before someone read all 343 names of the firefighters who died.

Mayor Ed Lee, fire commissioner Stephen Nakajo, fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and police Chief Greg Suhr offered some remarks at 7:20 a.m.

In Oakland, firefighters wore their official uniforms and stood in formation saluting the flag for a minute at 8:46 a.m. to honor the lives lost 14 years ago, Battalion Chief Zoraida Diaz said.

Flags in Oakland were to fly at half-mast until Saturday morning, Diaz said.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was scheduled to make remarks Friday at a ceremony at 6 p.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park at 300 Curtner Ave.

Earlier Friday at 8 a.m. Liccardo kicked off a rally at City Hall where volunteers met before going to work on service projects.

The projects are part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance hosted today by United Way Silicon Valley and include, among other things, rebuilding wheelchair ramps, painting, building fences and landscaping.

Author and 9/11 survivor Bert Upson was scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. at Las Positas College in Livermore about what he went through when he escaped a South Tower conference room two minutes before United flight 175 flew into it.

The Raiderettes and former Oakland Raiders were scheduled to visit police and firefighters Friday to thank first responders for their work.

Other events were scheduled in Union City, at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department headquarters, at the 9/11 memorial site in Martinez and in San Mateo.

"Today, we honor the thousands lost on that day and those we've since lost to 9/11-related illnesses," U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said in a statement. "As a nation, we continue to extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends; they forever remain in our thoughts."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.