LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OBSERVES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPT. 11
(Los Angeles, California – September 11, 2006) The public, airport-wide employees and passengers are invited to participate in today's commemoration of the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Airport officials have planned two events – a "Circle of Unity" and moment of silence beginning at noon, immediately followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
"Our airport was tragically linked to the terrorist attacks on our nation, as three of the four hijacked flights were bound for LAX. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is inviting the public to attend its special ceremonies to remember and reflect about these events five years later," said Lydia Kennard, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City department that owns and operates LAX and three other Southern California airports.
At 12 noon today, participants will join hands to form a "Circle of Unity" around LAX's landmark Theme Building and observe a moment of silence. This will be followed by the singing of "God Bless America." This event will recreate the original event held Sept. 14, 2001, the first full day of flight activity after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
In the center of the Theme Building is a permanent memorial to 9-11 called "Recovering Equilibrium," a compass-shaped art piece that features words and phrases reflecting national perceptions, rights and ideals. At night, the words are illuminated and projected onto the surrounding areas. The art piece was unveiled as part of LAX's 2003 commemoration of 9-11.
At 12:30 p.m., immediately following the "Circle of Unity," the public is invited to observe the laying of a wreath by the Los Angeles Airport Police Honor Guard at a plaque entitled, "In Memory of September 11, 2001," in the LAX Flag Courtyard located at Century and Sepulveda Boulevards. The bronze plaque is inscribed with the names of the passengers and flight crew members aboard the four California-bound flights (three to LAX). The plaque was unveiled during a candlelight vigil commemorating the first anniversary of 9-11 in 2002.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) LAX Choir, comprised of federal security screeners, will sing during both ceremonies. The U.S. Congress created TSA in the aftermath of 9-11. President George Bush's Patriot's Day 2006 proclamation also will be read during the wreath-laying ceremony.
As part of LAX's commemoration, the Gateway LAX pylons along Century Boulevard were relit Sunday night at 9:01 p.m. in a dynamic display of red, white and blue. The pylons will remain lit for 27 hours through midnight Monday. The pylons were dark during the past six months while they underwent refurbishing and upgrades with new light-emitting-diode (LED) technology that is more energy-efficient and easier to maintain than the original theatrical-style lighting system.
The pylons will relight Tuesday, Sept. 12 at dusk to begin a regular daily schedule of dusk to 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and featuring a varied display of color schemes.
Parking in any of the airport's Central Terminal Area parking structures will be validated at each of the two events.
For more information about LAX's 9-11 commemorative events, please call LAX Public Relations at (310) 646-5260, or visit the LAWA website at www.lawa.org.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided at public events upon request. To ensure availability, please make your request at least 72 hours prior to the event you wish to attend. For more information, please contact LAX Public Relations at (310) 646-5260, TTY (310) 665-0370 or FAX (310) 646-1894.
