Pepperdine University - Malibu
A ceremony was held at Pepperdine University in Malibu on Sunday morning, where the names of all of those who were killed in the Sept. 11 attacks were read aloud.
One of the people killed 10 years ago was Tom Burnett, who was onboard United Flight 93. His wife, Deena Burnett Bailey and her two daughters attended the ceremony in Malibu. Bailey said she chose to attend the ceremony in Southern California instead of the numerous other ceremonies in the East Coast because she felt there would be too much sadness at those locations.
Bailey said her husband called her on Sept. 11, 2001 and told her that his flight had been hijacked and that he and some other passengers on the plane were putting together a plan. She then told him about the attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, and he told her to pray.
The San Francisco-bound flight crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Burnett and his fellow passengers had been remembered as heroes. Bailey said on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, she's felt a lot of anticipation about the very important milestone. But the word and the feeling that comes to mind for her Sunday was one of gratitude.
"I am so grateful that I had the time I had with Tom," Bailey said. "We were together almost 12 years and celebrated 10 of those in marriage. I am grateful for the impact he had on my life. He not only was my husband, he was my teacher. He was my friend. He had a huge part in who I am today, long before Sept. 11 occurred. I am grateful for a nation who really wrapped their arms around us and said, 'We are grieving with you.'"
Bailey said she has been able to move forward. She's grateful for her husband's influence in her life, but she's also very grateful that she was able to find love a second time. She has since remarried and lives with her daughters and new husband in Arkansas.
Flags were posted on the grounds of the university. There is one American flag for every American life lost.
Elysian Park - Los Angeles
Local law enforcement and dignitaries held a special ceremony commemorating the 9/11 anniversary at the Los Angeles Fire Department's training facility in Elysian Park.
About 60 Los Angeles firefighters packed up their gear and flew to Ground Zero to help after the attacks 10 years ago.
As part of the Sunday ceremony, there was a fly-over with the combined effort of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the military. There was much discussion about commitment, bravery, heroism and sacrifice.
One of the memorials at the site is a 23-ton piece of steel that was recovered as part of the World Trade Center lobby.
L.A. County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby said much has changed since the 9/11 attacks, especially in the working relationship between law enforcement and fireighters.
"We're around the clock 24/7 to evaluate terrorism, to look at trends, to makes sure we have the appropriate information and we're responding appropriately," said Osby, adding that the main goal of both police officers and firefighters is to ensure the public's safety.
"Because of 9/11, our personnel are better trained and better equipped so in the unlikelihood of another event, we can respond and help the citizens and make sure they're safe," Osby said.
LA Fire Station 88 remembers the fallen
A ceremony was held at Los Angeles Fire Station 88 in Sherman Oaks at 7 p.m.
The Sept. 11 tribute brought back memories of heartbreaking days in New York for members of the elite Urban Search and Rescue team based at the station. The team spent days searching for survivors at Ground Zero.
"The thing that touches me the most was the faces of the responders that were there, the firemen and policemen who were there, looking for their brothers, looking for their family members," said USAR member, Craig White.
Hundreds gathered at a fountain at the station for the ceremony. At the center of the fountain stands a chunk of steel from the World Trade center.
As the Station 88 crew abruptly left the ceremony on an emergency call, the crowd cheered them on.
9/11 a day of remembrance at North Hollywood Park
A ceremony was held at North Hollywood Park in North Hollywood to honor the fallen.
Eighty-three trees have been planted at the park in remembrance of the Sept. 11 victims. Each tree had a red, white and blue ribbon appended to it Sunday.
"In 50 years from now they'll come and they'll still see that we did collectively as a community to remember the victims of 9/11," Los Angeles City Councilman tom LaBonge said.
"The thing that touches me the most was the faces of the responders that were there, the firemen and policemen who were there, looking for their brothers, looking for their family members. Other ceremonies in Southern California
In Santa Monica Sunday morning, police and firefighters honored the lives lost on Sept. 11 by lowering the flag to half-staff at the Santa Monica Fire Department Headquarters.
Also, the Glendale fire and police departments held a ceremony to remember fellow firefighters and police officers who died that tragic Tuesday morning 10 years ago.
The names of some of them were read and the American flag was lowered to half-staff.
"So many of our firefighters still went into action knowing that this could be the last event that they respond to," said Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. "As first responders, it's important for us to revisit this day because we could be called into action at any moment and pay the ultimate sacrifice."
In Torrance, the public joined firefighters, police and representatives from the religious community for a 10th anniversary tribute.
