September 11 Memorial Ceremony

In observance of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, the Cal Expo September 11 Memorial Plaza will be open to the public on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 8:30 am to 2 pm, to pay tribute to the victims and honor the survivors of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and to observe the anniversary of the end of the 9/11 rescue and recovery efforts. The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Featured Guests

• Welcome: Craig Walton, Chief, of California Exposition & State Fair Police Department
• MC: Sergio Robles, Councilmember District 4 Elk Grove, California Army National Guard
• Invocation & Benediction: Norm Powers, Chaplain, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Sacramento (LECS)
• Presentation of Colors: Sacramento Police Department Honor Guard
• The Pledge of Allegiance: Del Campo Air Force Junior ROTC
• National Anthem: Juliet Kennedy, Department of California  VFW Auxiliary Soloist
• Speakers:
  • Doug Morse, Acting Captain, Sacramento Police Department
  • Jenny Callison, Chief Consultant for the CA State Senate Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs
  • Mindi Russell, Executive Director & Chaplain, California Chaplain Corps
• Presentation of Governor’s Proclamation:
  • Xóchitl Rodriguez Murillo, Deputy Secretary, California Department of Veteran Affairs
• Sequence of Events: Paulette Spaeth-Rios, Member VFW Post 67 Auxiliary, Support PVA Paralyzed Veteran of America
• Consequence of Events: Phil Rios, US Army Retired Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War, Combat Veteran Bronze Star Recipient
• Wreath Laying:
  • Doug Morse, Acting Captain, Sacramento Police Department
  • Jenny Callison, Chief Consultant for the CA State Senate Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs
• Tribute to the NYPD Heroes Reading: Officer Alexis Grove, City of Sacramento Police Department
• Amazing Grace Performance: Juliet Kennedy, Department of California  VFW Auxiliary Soloist
• Closing Remarks: Chief Craig Walton, California Exposition & State Fair Police Department

Special Thank You

• Ceremonial Services Proved By: American Legion District 6, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 500, & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2073 Elk Grove
• Ceremonial Wreath Provided By: California State Floral Association
• Volunteer Services Provided By: Friends of The California State Fair, California State Fair Memorial Plaza Foundation 501(c)3

Clear Bag Policy

• Click here to view the clear bag policy

Additional Event Information

• 9/11 Memorial Flyer Here
• Admission and parking are free
• Parking is in Lot B next to the Main Gate
• Gates open at 8:30 am
• Speakers at 9 am – 10 am

Map