The city of Manhattan Beach and its city, school, fire, and police officials were out in force on 9/11 with a patriotic salute to local veterans at the annual "America's Assembly" at Robinson Elementary.

Robinson Elementary Principal Nancy Doyle led the event, welcoming Mayor Amy Howorth and councilmembers Mark Burton, David Lesser, Wayne Powell, and Tony D'Errico, who all arrived by firetruck. Also in attendance were Police Chief Eve Irvine, Police Captain Tim Hageman, FIre Chief Robert Espinosa, City Manager Mark Danaj; and members of the city police and fire departments.

Representing MBUSD were Superintendent Mike Mathews and school board members Ellen Rosenberg, Bill Fournell, Christine Cronin-Hurst, and Executive Director of Student Services Ellyn Schneider. Farnaz Golshani Flechner, the executive director of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, along with Kathy Crawford, the executive VP of the Manhattan Beach Council of PTAs, were also in attendance.

Honored local veterans included Colonel John D. Counselman Jr. (U.S. Marines, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Somalia, and grandfather to two Robinson students); Lieutenant Don Engh (U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant/Air Corps pilot, WWII 1943-1946 and father to Robinson teacher Kate Walsh); Captain Simon Mattox (U.S. Army Black Hawk Pilot - Iraq); Jeff Eick (U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer & Helicopter pilot - Vietnam); and Tim Bergin (U.S. Army, 1982-1989, and parent of Robinson alumni).

Musical entertainment included Jeff Eick and Judge Richard (Rick) Lyman on banjo and guitar leading students in singing "This Land is Your Land."

Principal Doyle also led a tribute to Robinson alumnus Adam Rice, a Manhattan Beach resident who tragically passed away over the summer. Tamara Walker Panzarella and her daughter Gigi Panzarella sang "For Good" in Adam's memory.