The morning of September 11, 2018 began on a solemn note, as schools and public ceremonies across Manhattan Beach recognized the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.

Manhattan Beach schools took the opportunity to both pay tribute to 9/11 heroes and and celebrate patriotic unity.

At Manhattan Beach MIddle School, a small cadre of trumpet players played "Taps" at a brief 9/11 recognition ceremony. 

Over at Grand View Elementary School, students sang "America the Beautiful" in their native languages of Hindi, Tagalog, French, Japanese and English.

And at Robinson Elementary School, special guest Congressman Ted Lieu told students, "We are all on the same team. We need to celebrate the freedoms that America gives to us.”

At 10:30 a.m., the city held its traditional ceremony featuring city leaders, police, and fire personnel in front of the World Trade Center memorial outside of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department. (The city's ceremony began later this year to allow the Honor Guard and the patrol officers an opportunity to participate in the school ceremonies.) 

In addition to honoring those who died on 9/11, the Manhattan Beach Police Department extended a special recognition to Manhattan Beach Police Officer Charles Frederick Grau, who died while on duty on September 11, 1952.