Honor * Educate * Remember
Honor our military, first responders, and the 2,977 civilians who lost their lives – Educate the youth about their sacrifices – Remember our fallen heroes
Every year on September 11th, Rio Hondo College honors those fallen in the terror attacks that occurred on September 11th, 2001. This year, in addition to honoring the lives lost, we also honor a special person who recently passed away.
Robert Diaz was an employee of Rio Hondo College, and, most importantly a decorated veteran who dedicated his time and energy every year to contributing to the College’s September 11th memorial events.
This year we have added a video that he narrated when the College’s memorial became virtual due to COVID. Robert worked on this speech to honor the first responders and continuously supported them and his fellow veterans. Below is a transcript of this moving speech along with the video.
“Imagine a cat climbing a 50-foot tree and unable to get down.”
“An inquisitive dog getting stuck in drain pipe.”
“A little boy falling from the jungle gym and breaking his arm.”
“A car accident on the 605, a house afire next door.”
“The destruction of the twin towers on September 11th, 2001”
“What do all these incidents have in common?”
“First Responders”
“From retrieving your grandmas cat, high in a tree, to charging into the crumbling towers of New York City, to rescue innocence.”
“First responders are the most important individuals in our time of need.”
“As defined by Homeland Security, the term first responders refers to those individuals, who in the early stages of an accident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life and liberty.”
-Robert Diaz
ASRHC Virtual 9/11 Memorial Video
We will be honoring September 11th by placing a memorial wreath near the veterans memorial in the mid quad and in remembrance for Robert Diaz. We encourage you to stop by for a moment of silence or a moment of reflection.
If you would like to donate on behalf of Robert Diaz to the Rio Hondo College Veterans center, please use the link below and indicate “Robert” as the tribute name.
To learn more about September 11th, please visit any of the following links or locations.
Local Memorials to visit
https://beverlyhills911memorial.org/
https://www.cityofrosemead.org/visitors/911_memorial
https://www.cityofalhambra.org/183/9-11-Memorial
Live Coverage of that day from CBS News (trigger warning, shows graphic images)
