By Anne Krueger and Irene McCormack Jackson
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

September 12, 2002

They prayed, they sang and they honored those who died in the terrorist attacks a year ago.

But most of all, East County residents, like the rest of the country, remembered that Sept. 11 will never again be just another day on the calendar.

Churches around East County held prayer services in memory of the attacks, including a candlelight service at the top of Mount Helix. From schools to senior centers to El Cajon's Main Street, residents paused to reflect.

"Just like that attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, we will never forget the September 11th attacks," said La Mesa Fire Chief Doug Matter, speaking to a crowd gathered to unveil a 9/11 memorial.

The ceremony also honored La Mesa resident Susie Ward Baker, who lost her son when the United airliner he was taking to Los Angeles flew into the second tower of the World Trade Center. Tim Ward, 39, was a project manager for Carlsbad-based Rubio's Restaurants.

Baker lifted the white silk cloth covering the memorial, a knee-high rock with an attached bronze plaque. It sits on the station's front lawn so "that all those walking by, the school children or those going to the park, will remember," Matter said.

The plaque reads: "September 11, 2001. In memory of the firefighters, police officers and innocent lives lost in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. In appreciation of firefighters and police officers who risk their lives every day."

Swarmed by well-wishers afterward, Baker said: "I just want to make sure no one ever forgets."

La Mesa firefighter Scott Springett hung back until the crowd around Baker shifted. He told her that he worked at ground zero for 10 days with the San Diego County search and rescue team last September.

He clutched an object in his hand as he spoke, then offered it to Baker.

"As insignificant as it may seem, I got that out of the towers," he said, pressing a magnet with the theater masks of comedy and tragedy into her palm. "I've had it for a year," he said, his voice cracking and the corners of his eyes moistening.

"And now it is yours," he said as he pressed it into her hand. Baker clutched his hand and together they held the dollar-sized New York theater magnet.

"I've always, always considered firefighters heroes," Baker said.

"I think it will mean more to you than it ever will to me," Springett told her, his voice cracking just a bit.

East County schools marked the day with patriotic colors and remembrances of the attacks.

El Cajon Valley High students ate lunch in the shadow of a marquee that read "We will always remember" and a flag flying at half-staff over the quad. The school band played the national anthem and "America the Beautiful" during a ceremony of short speeches the Associated Student Body organized.

In a surprise for the rest of the school, the leaders decked the school in red, white and blue streamers and posters with patriotic themes, including one with the preamble to the Constitution. Even a giant statue of the school's Brave mascot, standing tall over the quad's stage, wore several red, white and blue paper flowers.

ASB President Mark Labella said he and other organizers felt strongly they should show the school and the community they will not forget last year's tragedy. He and several others who spoke, including one student dressed as the Statue of Liberty, were flanked on the stage by representatives of the Army and Navy, as well as the school's police officer.

"I move that the 9/11 attacks not symbolize the destruction of the twin towers, but a celebration of our nation's heroes," Labella told his classmates. "What did I learn from the September 11 attacks? I actually learned how truly indestructible, untouchable and powerful our country truly is."

In Alpine, more than 300 Alpine Elementary School pupils cheered "U-S-A" as 25 racing pigeons were released. The "thoroughbreds of the sky" circled the baseball field and flew off into the sun.

Tom Blood, a member of the Coronado Racing Pigeon Club who helped coordinate the event, said he suggested the release of the pigeons because they promote "the good will of peace, loyalty and love."

"They might not be as symbolic as the eagle, but racing pigeons have done worlds for us," he said, referring to pigeons who served as messengers in wartime.

Creekside Meadows resident Doris Spendley said it was her way of showing compassion for those who had lost their lives in the tragedy.

"I wanted to participate somehow. It's very sad just to sit there and see the sorrow that some people went through," she said.

Sherrill Naegele's preschool class skipped nap time to attend the tribute. Four-year-old Jaycie Wells said she enjoyed watching the pigeons take flight.

"I liked that they were starting to fly," she said.

While Jaycie had difficulty putting into words what happened on Sept. 11, she is still doing her part to contribute to those affected by the events. "My mom said that people died, so we need to pray for them."

As evening set in, 6-year-old Jake Wright stood next to Fire Chief Ed Jarrell atop a fire engine in downtown El Cajon and sang the national anthem in front of hundreds of onlookers.

A.J. Wright, the boy's father, then sang "God Bless America." After both songs, the audience erupted in applause and cheering.

Then the San Diego chapter of the American Sewing Guild gave a memorial quilt to the El Cajon Fire Department for display in the lobby of its central station. It read, "We will not fear. We will not forget."

Wearing a star-spangled bandana, Ron Florence of Crest said such ceremonies will help the country remember last year's horror in the same way it remembers Pearl Harbor Day.

"It's who we are," he said. "I can never see it dissipating as an event both in the tragedy and in the glory of what came out of it."