Lake Havasu City holds Sept. 11 remembrance; mayor proclaims Patriot Day and National Day of Service

Lake Havasu City held a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11, 2025, that included flag presentations, musical performances, a bell ceremony and a mayoral proclamation designating the day as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

The event, attended by veterans, first responders, civic leaders and residents, featured remarks from Mayor Cal Sheehy, a ceremonial bell roll by the fire department and an address from Judge Mitch Kolali of the Veterans Treatment Court. Mayor Cal Sheehy read a proclamation and urged residents to honor local heroes and commit to acts of service.

The mayor framed the ceremony as both remembrance and a call to continued civic service. "Lake Havasu City remembers, and we will never forget," Mayor Cal Sheehy said. He recited the timeline of the morning on Sept. 11, 2001, and cited casualty figures repeated during the ceremony, including "nearly 3,000 lives" lost that day and specific counts mentioned for first responders and military personnel.

The program opened with an invocation from Sister Sandoval and included presentation of colors by local honor guards, musical performances and ceremonial elements. Robert Ross sang the national anthem, students from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School performed, and the Lake Havasu High School Chorus sang "Song for the Unsung Hero."

Fire Chief Pete Pilafas explained the tradition of the bell in the fire service and performed a bell roll honoring fallen firefighters. "This is what we do," Pilafas said, describing the bell's history as a signal of service and the three-tone final roll that signals a comrade's last alarm.

A flag-folding ceremony was narrated by Russ Muscari, past commandant of the Marine Corps League, and gold star mothers Mona Hester and Nancy Bennett placed a wreath at the memorial for the victims. Officials directed the ceremonial lowering of flags to half-staff in remembrance of those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.

Judge Mitch Kolali addressed the crowd about service and individual responsibility, asking attendees to consider whether a single person can make a difference. "There is always more that one person can do," Kolali said, urging residents to take small acts of kindness and service in their daily lives as a way to honor the victims and first responders.

The mayor's proclamation, read aloud during the ceremony, declared Sept. 11, 2025, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance for Lake Havasu City and urged residents to observe the day by honoring local first responders, veterans and volunteers and by committing to acts of service.

The ceremony included a military firing detail and the playing of "Taps," then closed with final remarks of gratitude and a benediction. Event organizers thanked volunteers and sponsors who supported the annual memorial.

Details noted during the ceremony included the common Sept. 11 casualty figure of 2,977 victims and specific counts cited in remarks: 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who died on Sept. 11, and 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon. Several speakers also referenced long-term health effects among responders and survivors. The program lasted roughly an hour and included multiple ceremonial elements rather than policy or legislative actions.

The remembrance concluded with a call to service and unity; Mayor Sheehy urged attendees to "carry with us the spirit of Sept. 12" and to live out gratitude and service in daily life.