Solemn Ceremony Held In Remembrance of 9/11

On Sunday September 11 a small gathering of Marco’s finest, wearing the uniforms of both law enforcement as well as firefighters would gather on the steps of the Marco Island Police Department. They were there to pay their respects to the lives lost as a result of the acts of terrorism which had befallen our nation on that sad day 21 years ago. Four separate commercial airliners were hijacked on that morning and were used as tools of mass destruction against innocent civilians. 

Two were flown two into the World Trade Centers in New York City, one into the Headquarters of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and a fourth was forced to crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when heroic passengers on that plane overpowered the hijackers and averted a strike on Washington, D.C. and the heart of our democracy.

Fatalities included 2,753 lost at the World Trade Centers, 184 at the Pentagon 40 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and 19 terrorists. Of those lost at the World Trade Center more than 400 firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel were lost. Since that date other fatalities have been added as related to injuries and illnesses associated to contamination they were exposed to.

Of the attendees at the Sunday event honoring the many lost on that day, many were only old enough to have a slight memory of that day and through articles written regarding that horrific morning.

Police Chief Tracy Frazzano would welcome attendees as did Fire Chief Christopher Byrne. It would be Byrne that would introduce Detective Sergeant Mark Huffor who would open the solemn ceremonies with a prayer.

As is the tradition in the fire service, the ceremonial ringing of the bell in memory of those who have died in the line of duty was held in recognition of those who perished that morning as they performed heroic efforts to save those who would fall victim to those cowardly acts of terrorism. 

The Traditional 5-5-5-5 would be rung four times in honor of who lost their lives that day. The Bell was donated to the Marco Island Fire Department by the Roseboom Family of Marco Island. It was dedicated on September 11, 2002 on the one-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks and on every anniversary of the event as well as the passing of firefighters at their services.

Upon completion of the new Station 50 Fire Headquarters and Emergency Command Center, a place of honor will be provided for the display of the Bell and a Commemorative piece of the World Trade Center Iron Works that was donated to the department. 

Retirees from the department as well as other city staff and a small gathering of city officials were all in attendance.