Vigil
provides love, unity
By Adrienne Figueroa
On-line Forty-Niner
Words of strength, unity and love reverberated
throughout the Long Beach Civic Center Wednesday
as city leaders spoke of the tragedies that
unfolded one year ago and a nation that
has since gained a greater sense of togetherness.
 The
Long Beach Unity and Remembrance Vigil began
at noon and featured a panel of speakers
that included Mayor Beverly O’Neill, U.S.
Department of State Program Director Haider
Karzi, Long Beach Chief of Police Jerome
Lance, Long Beach Fire Chief Terry Harbour,
New York City firefighter Raymond Seely
and a host of Long Beach church affiliates
from several religious denominations.
Addressing a crowd of approximately 200
people, many of whom were holding small
American flags, Mayor O’Neill talked about
the resilience of the American people and
the feeling of community that was generated
immediately following the attacks. This
overwhelming display of altruism is something
that makes the nation unique, she said.
“An attack on any of us is an attack on
all of us,” O’Neill said in a firm tone.
“[The terrorists] think they can destroy
our spirit…They are wrong.”
Fire Chief Harbour also spoke of the strength
that the nation showed amidst the horrifying
event and commented on how quick time has
passed since that day.
“This happened just last week,” he said.
“It’s so vivid in my memory.”
A factor that contributed to this acute
mental image is the existence of the television,
a device that was not around to document
the destruction of Pearl Harbor more than
60 years ago, Harbour added.
Some audience members also shared the fire
chief’s dismay at the passage of time.
“A year goes by so fast,” said Long Beach
resident Ron Brittian.
Brittian added that the vigil was effective
in bringing a sense of unity to the city.
“[I came] just to remember and feel better,”
Brittian said.
Other attendees created their own memorial
at the vigil.
Long Beach resident Cecilia Garcia, a Chumash
Indian, burned incense, chanted and danced
near the stage following the ceremony.
Angered by the fact that the vigil’s panel
did not include a speaker of her ethnic
background, Garcia said that she came to
the event to pray and represent California
Native Americans who were affected by the
tragedy of Sept. 11.
“I’m here praying because I’m an American,”
Garcia said.
Onlooker Sandra Cameron, a Long Beach resident
and Cal State Long Beach graduate, said
that attending the city vigil helped her
deal with the grief of the attacks a year
ago.
“[The vigil] gives you a bit more of an
understanding — maybe not closure, but just
peace with just what’s going on,” Cameron
said.
A feeling of consolation and unity is what
O’Neill hoped for in holding the hour-long
ceremony.
“It made [the city] remember what we should
be thankful for,” O’Neill said.
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