Grave celebrations for Day of Dead

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Small photos of New York police officers are at the center of the altar, flanked by shots of police in action on Sept. 11 helping people escape the ruins of the World Trade Center.

Officer Darrell Cortez of the San Jose Police Department didn’t know any of his New York colleagues who died in the terrorist attacks, but he wanted to honor them with the altar he constructed for this year’s Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

A commemoration that mixes the traditions of Mexico’s indigenous peoples with the Roman Catholicism of the Spanish conquistadors, the Day of the Dead is typically observed over two days, Nov. 1 and 2, in Mexico and parts of Central America and the United States.

The mood of the remembrance is often lighthearted, with whimsical, dancing skeleton decorations and skulls made out of sugar. But the commemoration has taken on a new gravity this year, as Hispanic cultural centers, art galleries and museums remember those who died in the terrorist attacks.

“We will never forget them. We’re proud of them,” said Cortez, a police officer of 22 years. “These officers gave the ultimate sacrifice in giving aid to those people in trouble at the World Trade Center.”

In New York last weekend, families placed carnations, photos of loved ones who died in the attacks and bowls of their favorite chicken and mole sauce meals on a community altar at El Museo del Barrio.

In San Antonio, Mexican artist Gustavo Gonzalez Alvarez is planning an exhibit at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center to honor the Sept. 11 victims. Alvarez wants visitors to mold clay into figures representing those who were killed. The clay people will be placed on hills of colored sand spread on a gallery floor.

“When you have something so fresh that just happened, that hurts, it’s still on everybody’s mind,” said Alvarez, who lives in northern Mexico. “Everybody around the world cares. You care about what happened no matter where you are.”

The San Jose altar, constructed by Cortez, his wife, Alicia, and other members of the National Latino Peace Officers’ Association, combines images of fallen officers – both from San Jose and New York – with other tokens of remembrance.

Cortez’s sons, 11-year-old Emilio and 16-year-old Ricardo, contributed a toy police car. A tennis ball and cigar were added to recall the officers’ favorite pastimes. Paper skulls, painstakingly colored with markers and each bearing the name of an officer, were included to represent the lost souls.

“There’s a bond,” Cortez said. “Police officers, no matter where you work, that bond is there.”

In Denver, the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council recognized the terrorist attacks by calling this year’s Day of the Dead events “a celebration of life.”

Chairwoman Crystal O’Brien hopes that spirit will permeate the gallery’s exhibits and visitors. “People are looking at their own lives and cherishing them a little more than they did in the past, cherishing those around them,” she said.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.