Ryan Carter
BURBANK -- Continuing in the patriotic fervor that has gripped a
mourning nation, a tribute was held on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday
for the victims of the terrorist actions on the East Coast.
Dozens arrived at the steps at 275 E. Olive St. to join in an hour of
prayer, reflection, speeches and patriotic songs.
"I think it's just something the city feels," said Cinda Cates,
spokeswoman for the city. "We want to recognize the oneness of the
nation. We feel it here. It touches everyone. It's part of a healing
process."
The Burbank High School and John Burroughs High School choirs sang
"God Bless America," and city employee Gino Gaudio sang "The
Star-Spangled Banner."
And in an emotional rendition, bagpiper Anjanette McFarland played
"Amazing Grace."
Organizers invited the family of Yeneneh Betru, 35, to be a part of
the ceremony. However, the Betru family is now in Washington, D.C., Cates
said.
Betru, a physician who lived in Burbank, was on American Airlines
Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon last week.
Burbank City Manager Bud Ovrom said everybody has an aching need to do
something.
"We felt like we needed to do something. this seemed like the right
thing to do," he said. "This [was] very ecumenical. It's part of the
healing process that we all have to go through. We can become more
resolute through this and move on."
