FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) — A retired firefighter in Fullerton is marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a memorial that has grown from a personal tribute into a community tradition focused on remembering the victims as individuals.<\/p>\n
Scott Townley, a retired firefighter, began building the memorial at his home in 2001, four days after the attacks. He has added to it every year since.<\/p>\n
One section of the memorial is known as the “Octagon of Faces,” displaying the faces of those killed in the attacks.<\/p>\n
The memorial also includes a space where visitors can leave messages. The messages reflect the personal connections and memories associated with those lost in the attacks.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the 25th anniversary of the attacks, the small Fullerton neighborhood was expected to become a gathering place for the broader community. The street was scheduled to close at 6 a.m. as volunteers, firefighters and police prepared for a ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m.<\/p>\n
Local students, families of some victims and community members were expected to attend. Organizers planned to read aloud the names of all 2,977 people killed in the attacks.<\/p>\n
Townley said he hopes the memorial helps younger generations understand the human impact of Sept. 11.<\/p>\n
Three-quarters of Americans say they remember where they were when they heard about the attacks, while another 11% of the country was not yet born. For many students attending the event, Sept. 11 is not a personal memory but a historical event.<\/p>\n
Townley’s goal, organizers said, is to ensure that future generations remember the people behind the tragedy.<\/p>\n
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