Tuolumne, CA—A commemoration ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will be held at 9:11 a.m. Friday, September 11, at the 9/11 Global War on Terrorism Memorial at Veterans Hall in Tuolumne City.
The ceremony is being planned and conducted by Keith Dale Wann VFW Post 3154. Tuolumne County Sheriff David Vasquez will serve as the keynote speaker. Vasquez is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Vasquez joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and served as a military policeman before becoming a K-9 handler specializing in the detection and destruction of improvised explosive devices. He also served on President George W. Bush’s security detail during multiple West Coast operations, assisting the U.S. Secret Service. He joined the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department in late 2009 and advanced through a series of increasingly responsible positions before being promoted to captain in 2021.
Vietnam veteran Frank M. Smart will serve as master of ceremonies. Smart and Iraq War veteran Aaron Rasmussen built the 9/11 Global War on Terrorism Memorial several years ago. The ceremony will include a performance of the national anthem and “God Bless America” by Madeline Young. Army veteran Kenny Kammerman, a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 391, will perform bugle duties. The ceremony will be opened by Dennis Hendricks, a member of the Tuolumne Band of Me Wuk Indians. He will give a brief story and a special Indian blessing. Pastor George Johnson of Tuolumne Township Baptist Church will deliver the benediction. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran Danny Hillier will perform the Ringing of the Bells ceremony, commemorating the events of September 11 and those who lost their lives.
Two color guards will participate in the ceremony. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard will raise the American flag before lowering it to half-staff. The Tuolumne County Combined Color Guard, under the direction of Dave Dumas, will present flags representing various military units and place them on the memorial’s stage.
Light refreshments will be served by Nancy Dumas and Alice’s Sugar Shack.
