Social distancing guidelines will be followed, as Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District observes its annual 9-11 memorial service this year.

On Friday, Sept. 11 at 9:11 a.m., in front of the Escalon firehouse at 1749 Coley Ave., community members are invited to gather for the brief ceremony.

The annual Community Moment of Silence and Prayer has been staged for the last several years in Escalon, typically featuring a guest speaker, a prayer, a recounting of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and a tolling of the bell as well as a flag lowering ceremony.

In Escalon, the day also recognizes James R. Layton, an honorary fire department member, a Navy corpsman who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 8, 2009 and former Escalon Fire Department chaplain Jim Davis, who passed away Sept. 21, 2018 after a battle with cancer.

Escalon Fire Chief Rick Mello serves as emcee for the event and said the department has taken steps to insure safety protocols are followed to allow for this gathering in the COVID-19 era.

Social distancing guidelines will be followed during all portions of the gathering, said Mello, with face coverings required and access to the firehouse itself will be limited.

All in the community are welcome and encouraged to attend.