by Christa Clark Jones
The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation quietly invited friends and neighbors to El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park to observe a moment of silence on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Aptly an overcast day in an otherwise sunny summer week, staff raised flags early in the morning to honor this historic date. A small group gathered at the front of the Presidio as the clock approached 11:00 a.m. As the moment came, suddenly there was a large gathering of somber yet peaceful faces. Along with staff and friends of SBTHP, students from the nearby Anacapa School and neighborhood pedestrians surrounded the half-raised American flag in front of the Presidio Chapel. As the flag waved in the wind Executive Director Dr. Jarrell Jackman spoke about the significance of the day. Following, Russel Ruiz, a dedicated Soldado and life honorary member of SBTHP, played the bugle. The event concluded with ringing of the Presidio Chapel bells. As the crowd returned to their daily routine, so too, the clouds dissipated to bring in a clear and pleasant day.
September 11, 2013 at El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP. Photo by Christa Clark Jones.
Christa Clark Jones is the membership and public relations coordinator at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation