In the midst of a solemn 9/11 tribute at the Orange County Arboretum on Tuesday, there was some celebration.

Musician and former kindergarten teacher Rich Pell came ready to share songs he wrote to honor the fallen and to help himself cope.

Pell said his friend -- who was also the father of one of Pell's kindergarten students -- was one of the 44 Orange County residents who died that day.

"To honor John Ginley, I decided to do some volunteer work and write some songs. [It's] What I could do," Pell said as he set up his equipment before playing several songs as people trickled in to the Arboretum.

He has written several songs about the fallen, families of the fallen, rescue workers and how he felt that day.

Organizers made sure the ceremony had the proper military tribute one would expect: a 21-gun salute and taps played on a trumpet just as it was beginning to get dark.

They also invited Pell to honor the fallen in his own way, through songs, some of which are upbeat.

"There is an element of joy with this as well in the idea of a celebration of really tremendous people," Pell said. "I think there's a lot of good there. There is a message to my music, which is that we should follow their example. That would be the bottom line to what I'm doing here."