San Rafael residents can join local firefighters on Friday, Sept. 11, for a public tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The event will honor the nearly 3,000 people killed that day, including 343 members of the New York City Fire Department.

The San Rafael Fire Department will host the tribute at Lauren's Place on Fourth Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a city announcement. Visitors can stop by at any point during the day to read profiles of the 343 FDNY firefighters who died rushing into the Twin Towers, participate in moments of silence at the top of every hour and reflect alongside San Rafael firefighters and public safety personnel.

The event is open to all ages.

"This is an opportunity for our community to come together, remember those we lost, and honor the courage and selflessness demonstrated by first responders," Fire Chief Abe Roman said in the announcement.

A memorial with local roots

Lauren's Place sits next to San Rafael Joe's at 931 Fourth St. The small memorial honors Lauren Grandcolas, a San Rafael resident who died aboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. Four hijacked commercial planes were used that morning in coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93, which crashed in rural Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers.

The San Rafael Rotary Club adopted Lauren's Place in January 2025, committing to beautify and maintain the space with fresh plantings each month, according to the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District.

Holding the tribute at a site tied to San Rafael's own loss gives the anniversary a personal dimension for residents who pass the memorial on their walks down Fourth Street.

Residents with questions about the Sept. 11 tribute can contact the San Rafael Fire Department directly.