9-11: Beach Fire unveils permanent memorial
An artifact from the World Trade Center was unveiled within a constructed showcase memorial display during a 9-11 remembrance ceremony at Fort Myers Beach Fire Station #33 last Thursday.
Many local officials from both the FMB Fire Control District and Lee County Sheriff’s Office combined forces with first responders from New York City and other locations in the touching tribute commemorating the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil by honoring all the lives that were lost -the fallen victims and heroes- on that infamous Sept. 11, 2001 day.
The event featured several speakers, an invocation, a memorial blessing, patriotic songs, color guards, a 21-gun salute, a bugler, bagpipes, drums and strong, emotional feelings. The 30″-16″-16″ I-beam monument creates a lasting memorial for all to see and reflect.
“Keep the memory alive,” repeated Beach Fire Medical Officer Capt. Randy Kraus, a New York City native and paramedic/first responder in that city at the time of the terrorist attacks. “This journey that we have embarked on over the last 3-1/2 years is finally coming to a fruition today in dedication of this memorial. There has been joy, heartache, disappointment and anger. But, through resilience, dedication, honor, hard work and unwavering respect for all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice over the past 13 years, we now have the final resting place in their memory for their souls.”
The artifacts were obtained after Kraus sent a written inquiry to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which maintains the WTC site, and was later approved. The historic wreckage from 9/11 was made available to first responders once Osama bin Laden was captured. The steel beams were declared artifacts in May 2011.
During the invocation, Chapel by the Sea Pastor Steve Adkison spoke about remembering the 2,977 people, including 414 emergency workers, that lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon and on United Airlines Flight 93.
Beach Fire Control District Chairman David Brower stated the project was completed without taxpayer money and thanked those who financially contributed and those who gave their time and effort to the cause.
“This accomplishment embodies the true spirit of the fire EMS service, self sacrifice and service to others,” he said.
Beach Fire Chief Darren White recalled the day the artifacts arrived three years ago and lauded its final resting place.
“I hope and pray that our children and our children’s children will reflect upon this monument and find renewed strength and rediscover the virtues of confidence and self-reliance,” he said.
Former American Airlines Stewardess Nancy Moylan remembered AA Flight 11’s crash into the north tower of the World Trade Center and 11 of her friends who passed away that day.
FDNY’s Jerry Sanford asked everyone to buy a flag and fly it every day.
“The unveiling of the piece of steel this morning shows the spirit of all of us and a reminder of the horrific event that took place this day 13 years ago,” he said. “Never forget that while America was reeling, she was also showing a resolve to rebuild, to remember and to overcome. That resolve must be remembered every day of the year.”
Retired NYPD officer Joseph Andujar is now with Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“Let’s not forget that we as first responders assume a role of not having a choice of where we go to do what we need to do. The civilians had that opportunity, and we can’t let them not be thought of today,” he said.
Frank Silecchia, representing the NYC construction iron laborers, found a steel cross in the wreckage site. He led people in the Lord’s Prayer and the singing of God Bless America.
“It’s about the brave men and women that walked in as people walked out,” he said. “Always remember and please never forget.”
Beach Fire raised more than $30,000 through fundraising for the memorial display. Fort Myers-based Boulton Construction volunteered its services to design, plan, build and help with fundraising efforts for the construction of the memorial. The District accepted donations to financially support the project and raised funds through sales of t-shirts, bumper stickers, and other merchandise.
“It’s been an honor. We want to thank the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District for allowing us to make this come to a fruition,” said Brian Sullivan of Boulton Construction. “It has a lot of meaning behind it.”
Once the indoor ceremony finished, the memorial service moved outdoors to the monument display where several dignitaries were called up to place excess pieces of a WTC I-beam into designated holes in the monument wall.
The artifact, now on permanent display, was one of two same-sized I-beams collected from the World Trade Center wreckage site. The other one -cut into three pieces- can be viewed on display at the other three fire district facilities.
9-11: Beach Fire unveils permanent memorial
An artifact from the World Trade Center was unveiled within a constructed showcase memorial display during a 9-11 remembrance ceremony at Fort Myers Beach Fire Station #33 yesterday.
Many local officials from both the FMB Fire Control District and Lee County Sheriff’s Office combined forces with first responders from New York City and more in the touching tribute commemorating the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on American soil by honoring all the lives that were lost -the fallen victims and heroes- on that infamous Sept. 11, 2001 day.
The event featured several speakers, an invocation, a memorial blessing, patriotic songs, color guards, a 21-gun salute, a bugler, bagpipes, drums and strong, emotional feelings. The 30″-16″-16″ I-beam monument creates a lasting memorial for all to see and reflect.
“Keep the memory alive,” repeated Beach Fire Medical Officer Capt. Randy Kraus, a New York City native and paramedic/first responder in that city at the time of the terrorist attacks. “This journey that we have embarked on over the last 3-1/2 years is finally coming to a fruition today in dedication of this memorial. There has been joy, heartache, disappointment and anger. But, through resilience, dedication, honor, hard work and unwavering respect for all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice over the past 13 years, we now have the final resting place in their memory for their souls.”
The artifacts were obtained after Kraus sent a written inquiry to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which maintains the WTC site, and was later approved. The historic wreckage from 9/11 was made available to first responders once Osama bin Laden was captured. The steel beams were declared artifacts in May 2011.
During the invocation, Chapel by the Sea Pastor Steve Adkison spoke about remembering the 2,977 people, including 414 emergency workers, that lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon and on United Airlines Flight 93.
Beach Fire Control District Chairman David Brower stated the project was completed without taxpayer money and thanked those who financially contributed and those who gave their time and effort to the cause.
“This accomplishment embodies the true spirit of the fire EMS service, self sacrifice and service to others,” he said.
Beach Fire Chief Darren White recalled the day the artifacts arrived three years ago and lauded its final resting place.
“I hope and pray that our children and our children’s children will reflect upon this monument and find renewed strength and rediscover the virtues of confidence and self-reliance,” he said.
Former American Airlines Stewardess Nancy Moylan remembered AA Flight 11’s crash into the north tower of the World Trade Center and 11 of her friends who passed away that day.
FDNY’s Jerry Sanford asked everyone to buy a flag and fly it every day.
“The unveiling of the piece of steel this morning shows the spirit of all of us and a reminder of the horrific event that took place this day 13 years ago,” he said. “Never forget that while America was reeling, she was also showing a resolve to rebuild, to remember and to overcome. That resolve must be remembered every day of the year.”
Retired NYPD officer Joseph Andujar is now with Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“Let’s not forget that we as first responders assume a role of not having a choice of where we go to do what we need to do. The civilians had that opportunity, and we can’t let them not be thought of today,” he said.
Frank Silecchia, representing the NYC construction iron laborers, found a steel cross in the wreckage site. He led people in God’s Prayer and the singing of God Bless America.
“It’s about the brave men and women that walked in as people walked out,” he said. “Always remember and please never forget.”
Beach Fire raised more than $30,000 through fundraising for the memorial display. Fort Myers-based Boulton Construction volunteered its services to design, plan, build and help with fundraising efforts for the construction of the memorial. The District accepted donations to financially support the project and raised funds through sales of t-shirts, bumper stickers, and other merchandise.
“It’s been an honor. We want to thank the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District for allowing us to make this come to a fruition,” said Brian Sullivan of Boulton Construction. “It has a lot of meaning behind it.”
Once the indoor ceremony finished, the memorial service moved outdoors to the monument display where several dignitaries were called up to place excess pieces of a WTC I-beam into designated holes in the monument wall.
The artifact, now on permanent display, was one of two 30″-16″-16″ I-beams collected from the World Trade Center wreckage site. The other one -cut into three pieces- can be viewed on display at the other three fire district facilities.