For these San Clemente city employees, tackling a steep staircase Wednesday morning, Sept. 11, was about more than getting out of the office to exercise and enjoy the ocean view.
The outing, which drew about 50 city workers from various departments, was about taking a moment in solidarity to remember the victims who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks – and showing support for the first-responders who responded after the attacks and who put their lives on the line each day.
“This is nothing compared to what they are dealing with,” said Elsa Macedo, who works in the water department and was just 6 when the attacks occurred, talking about the firefighters putting their lives on the line battling blazes across the region this week. “We just want to show up.”
The morning started at the base of the Dije Court staircase, which leads to the popular beach trail that overlooks the ocean. A cool breeze greeted the group.
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Marine Safety Chief Rod Marlott talked about remembering the tragic events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001, when “our nation was forever changed by the acts of terrorism that shook us to the core.”
“We honor the memory of nearly 3,000 innocent lives that were lost and pay tribute to the first responders who selflessly rushed into danger to save others,” he said. “As public safety officers, we create the legacy of those brave men and women who sacrifice everything to protect our communities.
“We vow,” he said, “to never forget the lessons learned from that day.”
City Manager Andy Hall said the 19 flights of stairs before the group would represent the 110 floors of the Trade Center buildings – but it didn’t matter if they just wanted to do 10 steps.
“We’re all contributing,” he said.
Councilmember Chris Duncan spoke to the crowd about how the day impacted him personally; he was in Washington, D.C., at the time, right next to the Pentagon when it was hit by a plane.
“I’m so proud of our city for remembering 9/11, for not just letting it go all these years,” he said. “It was an incredibly personal moment for me.”
His college roommate, Bryan Bennett, was in the Twin Towers and went missing in the attack. Now his friend’s name is among those memorialized at the World Trade Center.
What came out of that day was not just tragedy, Duncan said, but a united spirit not divided by age, race, sex or religion.
“We were all Americans,” he said. “Everybody was on one team. Let’s get back to that spirit.
“Today we’re going to walk together, we’re going to make it happen,” he added, “and we’re going to memorialize this tragic day and turn the page for a brighter future.”
Between tackling the stairs and taking a breather to soak in the ocean view, utility department employee Erin Williams said most people remember where they were and what they were doing the exact moment the attacks occurred. This was a small way to remember that day.
“We just want to show up,” she said, “in our little city, in this little part of the world.”
