Belmont Shore Lawn of White Crosses Draws 10,000

Ten years ago, Long Beach Firefighter Gary Biggerstaff visited ground zero. After touring the ruins, he came across a heart-wrenching note taped to a pole at Firehouse 10.

Left by a 9-year-old boy to his father, a firefighter killed on Sept. 11, 2001, the note read: "Daddy I miss you, I love you so much. You will always be my hero. I hope I get to see you in heaven. Please don’t forget me, I promise not to forget you."

Biggerstaff, a Belmont Heights father of two, "couldn’t get this note out of my head, and I still think about it all the time," he said. "This note made me realize it could have been any of us.”

On the second anniversary, he built 343 white crosses — one for each firefighter lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and planted them in his front lawn on Bennett Avenue, along with a plaque to remember the 61 police officers killed.

It was the crosses that started it all, hand-made and hand-inscribed, each with the name of a New York Firefighter who perished at the World Trade Center.

“I wanted to do something that provided a visual symbol,” Biggerstaff said in an interview. “I knew it would get noticed, but 10 years later I didn’t know it would still be talked about and attended — I am proud that it is.”

In 2004, Biggerstaff joined friends and created, Remember 9/11 The Ride, — a motorcycle trip through surrounding neighborhoods. It’s more like a parade, as bikers are met with cheering crowds and honking horns of cars and emergency vehicles in each of several cities between Orange County and East Long Beach.

“Every year the display of American spirit impresses me,” he said. “The people continue to come out and be a part of the ceremony and cheer on the riders. It shows me that people needed a place to go, and I am proud to provide that place.”

Two New York fireman will be in attendance this year, the 10th anniversary, including Chris Howard, who lost his father George Howard, a police officer, on Sept. 11. Howard will be the lead speaker, Biggerstaff said.

“Every year I get people from all walks of life, all parts of the country,” Biggerstaff said. “We have had a lot of people who have had relatives or loved ones that were lost in the attack.”

The ceremony, which saw over 10,000 people last year, has reached new heights and because of the volume of people, will take place in Alamitos Bay this year. It was moved from Biggerstaff’s house two years ago after thousands of people poured in and took over the neighborhood.

This year, Biggerstaff will unveil two large pieces of steel taken from the Twin Towers, the steel was given to the Long Beach Fire Department from FDNY and the New York Port Authority.

The events which will take place today, Sept. 11, will feature a remembrance ceremony, a military flyover, concert and fireworks in Alamitos Bay. The Ride will start at Cook’s Corner, a popular bikers hangout in Orange County, and continue through the Santiago Canyon Road ending at Mc-Kenna’s on the Bay in Alamitos Bay.

Biggerstaff said it is a very somber and emotional time for him, adding that the number of firefighters killed on Sept. 11, would be equal to the entire Long Beach Fire Department.

“To sit and assemble those 343 crosses and arrange them perfectly in order, it is very emotional,” he said. “I mean, 343 guys, all in the blink of an eye. That is a heavy bill right there, and once you start to wrap your arms around that, it is an emotional moment.”

Biggerstaff said this isn’t something he has done alone, instead he credits the people who come out every year to honor those lost on that horrific day.

“This is the will of the people,” he said. “People need a place to go, they want a place to go and most don’t know what to do to honor the day and the lives lost, this provided them that and I am so proud.”

The crosses will be set up at Biggerstaff’s house, 257 Bennett Ave., on Sept. 7, and moved to Alamitos Bay on the morning of Sept. 11.

For more information visit www.remember911ride.com.