10th Anniversary of September 11 Attacks Commemorated in San Diego

Friday, 09 September 2011
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6461

San Diegans joined the nation in marking the 10^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

Hundreds of people participated in a commemoration walk on Thursday, September 8, 2011, along the San Diego Bay waterfront. The solemn walk began at the San Diego County Administration Center and concluded at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.

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A ceremony was held after the marchers reached the Port Pavilion.

Port Commissioner Bob Nelson addressed the gathering of officials, global trade representatives and members of the public. He paid tribute to the fallen and praised America’s spirit and resilience.

“As other nations emerge as global powerhouses economically and militarily, more than ever we must seek to understand one another, and to work past our differences—and our individual and shared histories—towards a better tomorrow,” Nelson said.

“Thank you for the privilege and honor to be part of this commemorative ceremony marking our national loss of 9/11 and honoring the fallen,” he continued. “They will not be forgotten.”

Leading the procession was the U.S. Border Patrol Color Guard and band. Community leaders participating included Bella Heule, president and CEO of World Trade Center San Diego, the organizer of the walk; San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts; Port Commissioner Nelson; City of National City Mayor Ron Morrison; and San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board Chairman Robert Gleason. Other participants included Port of San Diego employees and members of the public.

Heule was among the speakers at the ceremony.

“We would like to mark this anniversary and recognize the people who lost their lives and for all that it has meant to our country,” Huele said.  She said she also wanted to renew the center’s belief that international trade, in addition to bringing prosperity, can acquaint people with diverse individuals across cultures and lay the groundwork for better understanding between nations.

The march and ceremony were part of the World Trade Center San Diego’s “Peace, Prosperity & Diversity Through Trade: A 9/11 Commemoration.” The all-day event included a trade show inside the pavilion.

The Port of San Diego is a sponsor of the event through its Marketing Sponsorship/Fee For Service and waterfront activation program.

The Port of San Diego and the City of San Diego created the World Trade Center in 1994 to support local businesses and to attract international business.

As a member of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), the World Trade Center San Diego is a non-profit corporation serving the international trade services and facilitating regional and worldwide trade.

The Port of San Diego 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, a Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.