A poignant memorial service was held on Friday, marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Residents of Fullerton, alongside firefighters, police officers, and community leaders, gathered at the home of Scott and Julie Townley, a longstanding local landmark for remembrance.

The ceremony commenced at 8:30 am with the solemn reading of the names of those who lost their lives in the attacks of 2001. This annual observance, which began just days after the tragedy, has evolved significantly over the years. After the attacks, Scott Townley placed a handmade sign and a few American flags in the front yard of his home on Woods Avenue. What began as a personal tribute became an extensive annual memorial that now draws community participation.

As part of the observance, a ceremonial bell was rung at specific times to commemorate the timeline of the events of that fateful day, beginning at 8:46 am, the moment when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Over the years, the Townleys have expanded the memorial to include thousands of American flags, photographs of victims, and individual crosses honoring the brave firefighters, police officers, and Port Authority personnel who lost their lives on September 11. The display also features replicas of the Twin Towers and pays tribute to first responders who succumbed to illnesses related to their service at Ground Zero.

The memorial has become a community initiative, with neighbors contributing to the display and victims’ families visiting to pay their respects. An exhibit showcasing photographs of the deceased allows visitors to leave personal messages, emphasizing the community’s collective grief and remembrance.

Perhaps the most significant impact of the memorial is its role in educating younger generations who have no personal memory of the events of September 11. Students from local elementary schools, including Hermosa Drive, Orangethorpe, and Golden Hills, have visited the memorial to learn about the attacks and those who perished. Townley has made it a mission to ensure that today’s youth understand the gravity of the day, stating, “My goal is to teach the youth of today about what happened on 9/11 so we don’t forget it.”

As the 25th anniversary approaches, remembering the past grows even more critical, marking a shift from living memory to history. Despite its growth in scope and community involvement, the memorial remains rooted in its humble beginnings—located not in a civic plaza or a museum, but at a family residence on a quiet residential street in Fullerton.

For 25 years, Scott and Julie Townley, along with their neighbors, have adhered to the simple yet profound purpose that inspired the first flags: honoring the lives lost and fostering understanding of the events of September 11 among future generations. As the observance continues, the promise to never forget remains steadfast on Woods Avenue.