Remembering Local Heroes

The 9-11 memorial at the Summit Road off ramp from southbound Highway 17 was erected in November 2001, one of the first 9-11 memorials in the Bay Area. Every year for 25 years, Patti Hughes and other volunteers carefully tend this tribute to the victims of 9-11, and especially to two local heroes: Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham.

Mark grew up in Redwood Estates and Todd grew up in Los Gatos. Todd and Mark were part of a team of four individuals who successfully penetrated the United Flight 93 cockpit to take back control on that fateful day in 2001. Todd, Mark, Tom Burnett, and Jeremy Glick were instrumental in ensuring that the flight did not accomplish the final prong of the terrorists’ mission by crashing into the U.S. Capitol Building. They had never worn a military uniform, but they were killed in action while mounting the first civilian counterattack against terrorist actions that day.

Todd and Mark are recognized at the Flame of Liberty Memorial, located on the Civic Center lawn in downtown Los Gatos. On September 11, a memorial was held at the Flame of Liberty Memorial to commemorate the contributions of these and the thousands of others who lost their lives in 2001. Before the LGHS football game that night, a military flyover honored our local heroes.

inside a trap. Around the same time, a nearby neighbor messaged me that she had trapped a kitten on her property, up the hill from their original location. Four kittens were safe and sound within four days of the first reported sighting.

Considering the ordeal they had been through, and who knows what before, they were in pretty good shape. They had some digestive issues, worms, and parasites, and Frodo was found with a piece of plastic tied around his neck. Summit Vet and Coast Vet got a fair amount of business as tests were run and treatments started. In between the trips to the vets, the kittens have been getting used to cuddles, playtime, full bellies, and lots of love.

We kept the community updated on social media and people reached out with offers of food and donations to help cover the vet costs. We have collected over $1000 to help with medical bills. It’s been truly amazing to see the mountain community come together to support these young kittens.

We can share the good news that Vinca and Frodo (renamed Gabby and Pandy) have been adopted by the Allen family. Thank you to Christine, Heather, Karen, Casey and Eddy for saving the kittens; to Sydni and family for giving Frodo and Vinca a safe home; and to Laura, Katie, Nancy, Mark, Rebecca, Reyna, Yiwei, Amanda, Michelle, Therese, Margie, Ron, Susan and Jon, and Matt for your support and generosity.