Bay Area remembers victims of 9/11 terror attacks 23 years later

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It has been 23 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. All day, events were held across the country marking the remembrance day -- including here in the Bay Area.

"It's hard to believe it has been 23 years," said Harold Schapelhouman. The retired fire chief of Menlo Park Fire District was part of a California search and rescue team sent to help in New York City after the terrorist attack in 2001.

"Our first assignment at Trade Center. I remember as we were driving across the bridge, coming in at nighttime, you could see the lights and the smoke," Schapelhouman said.

And this day, just as in years past, Schapelhouman pauses to remember those lost in the tragedy.

"That's a catastrophic loss. I had friends at FDNY," Shapelhouman said.

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San Francisco's fire department held a ceremony to remember the emergency responders and civilians killed.

Mayor London Breed was among those who turned out.

In Oakland, Mayor Sheng Thao joined the city's fire department and command staff for a short ceremony at Brooklyn Basin along the Oakland Estuary.

"Today on 911 we remember where we were on that devastating day. I remember was in the classroom. I don't think anybody who was alive during that time will forget exactly where they were when they heard the Twin Towers had fallen," said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

"Just think about the sacrifices that we make to protect our own community, the courage it takes, the valor, the integrity -- all of the things that represent the fire service, but really represent the city of Oakland and the Oakland fire department," said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington.

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In Clayton, Contra Costa County, families gathered for a somber remembrance with so many stars and stripes.

"We mourn the nearly 3,000 who died that day who are represented by these flags that are planted," said the Contra Costa County law enforcement chaplain. "We are humbled by the bravery of firefighters and police officers."

"We remember the 343 members of the FDNY and the ultimate sacrifice they made when they entered the Twin Towers," said Fire Chief Lewis T. Broschard with Contra Costa Fire.

And in Union City, flowers at the memorial for the passengers who lost their life on board United Airlines Flight 93. It was headed to SFO when it was hijacked by terrorists after leaving New Jersey. A group of passengers and flight attendants carried out a plan to retake control of the aircraft. But the plane crashed in a rural field in Western Pennsylvania.

There were three heroes from the Bay Area who died during the Sept. 11 attacks.

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Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham, of Los Gatos, were passengers on United Airlines flight 93, which was scheduled to fly to San Francisco that morning.

They are said to have fought back, forcing the terrorists to crash the plane in a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Flight attendant Betty Ong of San Francisco was on board American Airlines Flight 11.

Her brother, Harry, says Betty was able to relay vital information about the hijackers before the plane hit the World Trade Center.

"It's a hard day for everybody," Shapelhouman said.

It's a difficult day for so many people, but also a day to remember and honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women and gave everything to help others 23 years ago.