COMING TOGETHER VIGIL UNITES RESIDENTS.

VALENCIA - Clutching candles and American flags, thousands of people stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Santa Clarita on Sunday night to mourn the victims of last week's terrorist attacks and pray for peace.

Just one week ago, the community gathered at another candlelight vigil to remember Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Hagop ``Jake'' Kuredjian, who was killed during a shootout in Stevenson Ranch.

``This community has suffered back-to-back (tragedies),'' said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste. ``We'll get better by finding strength together.''

On Tuesday morning, two passenger jets plowed into the World Trade Center, toppling the 110-story twin towers. Another plane crashed into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., while a fourth hijacked craft crashed in a Pennsylvania field.

Authorities say more than 5,000 people were killed in the attacks.

Signs of hope in the wake of the tragedy could be found all over the Santa Clarita Valley. A sign marking the entrance to the valley read ``God bless America,'' and a handcrafted American flag made of cardboard hung on the bridge over the San Diego Freeway at McBean Parkway.

``You just feel so violated,'' said Shannon Cusick of Valencia, who, like many in the crowd, wore a T-shirt emblazoned with an American flag. Most people said they knew someone who had a friend, a loved one, or a co-worker who had barely escaped the disaster. All said the terrorist attacks had touched their lives in a profound way.

``Everybody is sad,'' said Lisa Hinojosa of Saugus, who brought her two young children to the vigil. ``I've cried. Everyone I know has cried. It's overwhelming.''

The crowd began the vigil in the parking lot of Valencia Town Center and proceeded across the street to Santa Clarita City Hall. Local Boy and Girl Scout troops led the way with several large American flags.

Led by the William S. Hart High School choir, many joined in singing the ``Star Spangled Banner'' and ``America the Beautiful'' and other patriotic songs.

At churches throughout Santa Clarita on Sunday, worshippers mourned, prayed and listened as their religious leaders tried to make sense of the devastating destruction that has engulfed the East Coast and brought America to the brink of war.

Mary and Dave Berg of Valencia, who attended the vigil with their teen-age children, said their minister helped them put the tragedy into a broader context.

``It's important in times like these to have spiritual guidance,'' said Mary Berg. ``It's given me great joy in the midst of great sadness to see the nation turn to God.''

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Photo:

(1 -- color) Kevin and Laurine Buck from Canyon Country with their children, Bridget, 15, and Adam, 12, join hundreds candlelight vigil.

(2 -- color) Katy Ableman, 5, holds a candle and American flag during Sunday's candlelight vigil remembering those who died during last week's terrorist attacks on the East Coast.(3 -- 4) Hart High School students walk across a bridge from the Valencia Town Center en route to City Hall during Sunday's candlelight vigil.Thousands of Santa Clarita residents, some with American flags, gather in the parking lot of the Valencia Town Center before Sunday's vigil.

(5 -- 6) Above left, Canyon Country resident Steven Kilbert, 14, at the rest of Boy Scout Troop 56 join in Santa Clarita's candlelight vigil in front of City Hall on Sunday, where some, above right, held American flags and bowed their heads remembering those who perished in last Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News