UC Davis Health volunteers participate in 9/11 day of remembrance, service

On Sept. 12, a group from UC Davis Health joined other community volunteers at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery to honor the lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attack.

The event was a national effort held at Veterans Affairs (VA) cemeteries across the country to turn the day of remembrance into a day of service as well.

VA cemetery staff provided opening remarks, speaking about the events of 9/11. They spoke about the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including first responders and service members who gave their lives in the aftermath.

Afterward, over 100 volunteers, including the group from UC Davis Health, began caring for the cemetery grounds.

Volunteers cleaned gravesites, spraying, brushing and scrubbing headstones and markers.

“It was a great day, and it was meaningful to see staff from UC Davis Health show up and give their time,” said Miles Thorne, chair of the UC Davis Health Veterans Employee Association.