Photo By Antonio Gonzalez | Capt. Joseph Burgon, commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona...... read more read more
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Capt. Joseph Burgon, commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division, gave a meaningful and reflective speech at a local Patriot Day ceremony Sept. 11 at the Corona Historic Civic Center.
Marking 25 years since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the ceremony hosted by the Corona Chamber Foundation started at 5:00AM with volunteers reading the names of the nearly 3,000 lives lost during the attacks. Four times throughout the reading of the names, a bell was rung to signify the exact moment in time each of the hijacked aircraft struck; its echo followed by a silence that swallowed the ceremony.
Burgon served as the event’s keynote speaker, highlighting the close link between the Navy command and its surrounding community.
“25 years ago, our nation made a promise: never forget. This ceremony is a powerful expression of that commitment,” said Burgon.
In addition to representing service members that stand the watch globally, the commanding officer emphasized that service to country and community can take many forms.
"At Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division, most of our workforce is civilian... service does not always require a uniform. Each brings their skills to work every day in direct support of the fleet. They are proof that patriotism is not limited to one profession, one title, or one type of service," Burgon said.
For all Americans, the impact of 9/11 was felt deeply, including in communities like Corona – as seen through the story of retired Rear Adm. Wilson Falor "Bud" Flagg and his wife Darlene Ellen "Dee" Flagg. Both natives of Corona, Calif., and graduates of Corona High School, Flagg and his wife were on American Airlines Flight 77 going from Northern Virginia to Los Angeles when the flight was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.
"Their lives were taken because of an act of terrorism, but terrorism did not get the final word. Their love story did,” Corona Chamber Foundation Chair Palbinder Badesha said during her address. “As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th, we remember all the innocent lives, but we pause especially for two people who have a special connection to us."
One of the main themes presented at the ceremony was remembrance. With each anniversary passing, less and less witnesses of that tragic event will be present and soon enough there will be more secondhand experiences through textbooks than witnesses. Many of the speakers expressed the importance of preserving the memory of 9/11 and passing its lessons down to the next generation.
"Some may wonder why we take the time to reflect on the past when there is so much to prepare for on the horizon,” Burgon said. “It is because memory shapes responsibility."
Addressing the crowd also included a group of three elementary school students presenting speeches embodying American patriotism and remembrance – demonstrating the next generation’s commitment to keeping that memory alive.
The ceremony featured student music performances of the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and God Bless the USA. Speakers included local leaders, elected officials, and elementary school students.
NSWC Corona Division has provided analysis and assessment for the Navy since 1964. With expertise in gauging the Navy’s warfighting capability, NSWC Corona is a leader in data, analytics, visualizations, digital environments, engineering, and leveraging technology to bridge and integrate the Navy's data silos – enabling informed decision-making by the warfighter. With more than 4,000 scientists, engineers, Sailors, technicians, and support staff, NSWC Corona is located in Norco, California, with two California detachments in Fallbrook and Seal Beach and personnel in 14 additional locations.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2026 11:38 |
| Story ID: | 574973 |
| Location: | CORONA, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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