A large group of motorcyclists will once again be cruising through Laguna Beach today, Wednesday, in remembrance of the civilians, police and firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Laguna Beach will be about the halfway mark of the 40-mile ride (see map), which begins at the Cook's Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon, and end at the Joe's Crab Shack restaurant in Long Beach.
According to the organizer's Facebook page, the ride will begin at Cook's Corner at 2:15 p.m., then proceed over the 241 toll road onto the 133. Going by estimates from last year's ride, the cyclists should reach Laguna Beach sometime between 2:50 and 3:10 p.m., so it might be wise to plan accordingly for traffic.
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This year's ride isn't likely be nearly as large as the 10th anniversary commemoration in 2011, which took place on a Sunday and caused some complaints to Laguna Beach city officials from people whose cars were blocked as the massive parade of motorcycles wound its way through Laguna Canyon and down Broadway, then turned right on to Coast Highway on its way to Long Beach.
"It helps it to be smaller and more manageable,'' organizer Gary Biggerstaff said. "Last year, it was easier to manage.'' Unlike the 10th anniversary of 9/11 -- which was held just four months after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attacks -- last year's event drew hundreds fewer motorcyclists."
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-- Santiago Elementary School students will hold a 9/11 memorial at 8:25 a.m. featuring a speech by Santa Ana Unified School Police Department Sgt. Kevin Phillips, a veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
-- Anaheim firefighters will participate in a 9/11 Remembrance Service at the flag poles in front of Anaheim City Hall. The event will begin at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane struck the World Trade Center Towers.
-- Starting at 9 a.m., at various schools throughout the county, volunteers and Camp Pendleton Marines will refurbish and refresh gardens for fall planting by students to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.
-- At the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, the 12th anniversary of 9/11 will be commemorated with a speech by Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Vincent Coglianese, commanding general at Camp Pendleton. Bruce Herschensohn, an author who was a deputy presidential assistant in the Nixon administration, will also make remarks, and the Orange County Fire Authority will salute the first responders and victims.
--At noon, Irvine Valley College will hold its 12th anniversary 9/11 commemoration ceremony. Orange County Assistant Sheriff Mark Billings will be among those speaking at the event.
--At 1 p.m., volunteers in Mission Viejo will help landscape and plant a garden at a wounded warrior's home in collaboration with Operation Homefront. At 5:30 p.m., the city will hold a 9/11 event at city hall.
--Saddleback Valley Chorale will perform at 6 p.m. in a patriotic concert to commemorate the anniversary in Laguna Niguel.
--Also at 6 p.m., the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council of religious leaders will commemorate 9/11 with prayers, musical entertainment and a special ceremony at a Church of Latter Day Saints in Irvine.
-- City News Service contributed to this report.
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