San Diego to Commemorate 10th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks

Friday, 02 September 2011

San Diego will pay tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a celebration of America's spirit and commerce.

On Thursday, September 8, 2011, the World Trade Center San Diego will host the event, "Peace, Prosperity & Diversity Through Trade: A 9/11 Commemoration" at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive. The event will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack, in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives.

The event is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to the public.

"The Port of San Diego is proud to participate in this commemorative ceremony," said Scott Peters, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. "This free, public event is an opportunity for the port, city and community leaders and the public to join together to mark the tragedy, honor the fallen and learn how we can build an understanding between nations through the World Trade Center's mission of Peace and Prosperity Through Trade."

The port is a sponsor of the event through its Marketing Fee For Service Program.

"We would like to mark this anniversary and recognize the people who lost their lives, and the impact it has had on our country," said Bella Heule, President and CEO of World Trade Center. "We also want to renew our belief that international trade, in addition to bringing prosperity, can help us get to know diverse individuals across cultures and lay the groundwork for better understanding between nations."

A "Commemoration Walk" will be held at 4 p.m. as part of the event. Several staff members of the Port of San Diego will join other members of the public in a solemn walk from the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, to the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.

Leading the procession will be County Supervisor Ron Roberts, Commissioner Bob Neslson and Heule.

Following the procession to the Port Pavilion, the commemoration program will begin. It will feature:

• A San Diego Master Chorale performance
• A military flyover
• A flag salute
• VIP speakers, featuring Mayor Jerry Sanders and Port Commissioner Bob Nelson
• A display of 80 local companies involved in international trade (this will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
• A free Jefferson Starship concert beginning at 5:30 p.m.
• Refreshments

Visitors are encouraged to park at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, and take the trolley to Sante Fe Depot. Take the Green Line to Old Town and transfer to the Blue Line to the Santa Fe stop.

Parking near the event site will be limited.

As a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), The World Trade Center San Diego is a non-profit corporation serving the international trade community and facilitating regional and worldwide trade. In 1999, the center received a "best practices" designation for its trade missions and was one of the first World Trade Centers internationally to be certified by the World Trade Center Association.

The Port of San Diego has is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach, San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista and National City.

The port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 17 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.