By Robert Haugh
Last Saturday morning at 6:59 a.m., the Santa Clara Fire and Police Department Honor Guards honored the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and gave tribute to the fallen heroes.
The 6:59 a.m. time corresponds to the tragedy when the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.
It was a moving ceremony with bagpipe music. Unfortunately, only 4 of the 7 Santa Clara City Council members showed up.
In attendance were Mayor Lisa Gillmor, Councilmembers Anthony Becker, Suds Jain and Kathy Watanabe.
Also attending were Santa Clara Police Chief Pat Nikolai and Fire Chief Ruben Torres.
Former Assemblyman Kansen Chu made an appearance. So did former City Attorney Brian Doyle. He was warmly welcomed.
Conspicuous by their absence were Council members Raj Chahal, Karen Hardy and Kevin Park.
Hardy made the motion to defund the police in March. Chahal seconded the motion. Park and Jain both voted for it.
@Carolyn McAllister, I want to send you lots of positive energy and hugs on the 20th Anniversary of the death of your dear brother, Andy Garcia, who died on 9/11 on United 93. Your niece, Audrey (Andy’s daughter) posted some beautiful reflections on FB and I want to share it here as follows:
Saturday marks 20 years since the horrific events of 9/11. Every year as we approach this day, I have the same thought— “How does showing the images of the planes slamming into the Twin Towers, on repeat, help?”
I’ve thought about this even more this year as we see the numbers climb in the fight against Covid, the images of pain, fear and suffering in Afghanistan, as well as the struggles that people are facing all around us in our neighborhoods.
With all the pain going on in the world, can we not honor this day with stories of heroism and courage?
Can we remember the brave efforts of so many and learn from them?
Can we honor the lives lost and learn from them?
One thing my dad was known for, was this— when he asked you how you were doing, he genuinely wanted to know. He wouldn’t let you get away with an “I’m fine.“ He would always dig a little deeper. He truly wanted to know how you were doing and if he could be of support.
That lesson has stayed with me and, hopefully, I have honored him well by carrying that lesson on.
That’s the kind of thing we should be focusing on— truly caring for one another and genuinely meaning it…
Not simply emphasizing the acts of terrorists—repeating the horrific images of the planes, buildings or field.
Let’s be caring, loving people and be a hero to someone every day. 🇺🇸❤️💙
The City honored the 9/11 tragedy well.
When these 49er 5 fall, its doubtful they
will be honored in any capacity.
Maybe they already know that.
Time to recall.
At a time when most of us look for unity, it is a shame that on a sacred Day of Remembrance, 9/11, that
some members of our city council could not find the energy or respect to attend this special ceremony.
Thank you for the Mayor and Council Members that attended. You make me proud that you were respectful
of all the First Responders and other heroes that lost their lives on 9/11. Years ago Councilmen were role models for the community. How times have changed.
@Carolyn McAllister, I agree with you.
These are the same people who believe in defunding the Police.
These 49er 5 also support AlexLee who is another idiot in support of defunding the police. Birds of a feather.
Oh yeah, Becker voted to keep police budgeted but its evident these a$$hats take turns wasting one of their 5 votes to make it look like one of them is doing the “right thing” for residents because they know they still have 4 majority votes to fulfill their 49er puppet requests. 🤣🤣