Students, staff and parents placed about 3,000 flags around the outside of Notre Dame School to recognize the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Students, staff and parents placed about 3,000 flags around the outside of Notre Dame School to recognize the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

On the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Santa Barbara residents and first responders took time to remember people who were killed in the 2001 attacks and sacrificed their lives to save others.

The Notre Dame School in Santa Barbara held a school prayer service Wednesday morning to remember the lives lost in the attack.

Students, parents and teachers spent Tuesday afternoon placing 3,000 flags around the front of the school and the flag pole to mark the anniversary, according to Principal Alec Gasca.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department took a moment to remember the anniversary by lowering the flag at all 16 stations and its headquarters at 9 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a moment of silence, Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

The Montecito Fire Protection District held brief remembrance ceremonies at Station 91 at 595 San Ysidro Road and Station 92 at 2300 Sycamore Canyon Road.

Montecito Fire Department lowers a station flag Wednesday morning on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Montecito Fire Protection District personnel lower a station flag Wednesday morning on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Credit: Montecito Fire Department photo

The Santa Barbara Airport paused all TSA and airport activity for a moment of silence Wednesday at 8:46 a.m. Passengers and guests were invited to join together at the TSA security checkpoint.

Several other flag displays and remembrance ceremonies were held around the county on Wednesday.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.