Solemn Ceremony Held on 22nd Anniversary of 9-11

On Monday September 11, 2023, approximately 70 first responders and citizens gathered on the steps of the Marco Island Police Department. 

They joined together to pay their respects to the lives that were lost as a result of the terrorist acts 22 years ago. On that sad day, four separate commercial airliners were highjacked and used as tools of mass destruction against innocent civilians. 

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

Fatalities included 2,753 lost at the World Trade Centers, 184 at the Pentagon, 40 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and 19 terrorists. Of those who perished at the World Trade Center, more than 400 were firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel. Since that date, additional fatalities have been added to the list which are related to injuries and illnesses resulting from exposure to contamination.

Police Chief Tracy Frazzano and Fire Chief Christopher Byrne welcomed attendees. Pastor Scott Kerens of the Marco Island Presbyterian Church opened the solemn ceremonies with a prayer.

As is the tradition in the fire service, there was a ceremonial ringing of the bell in memory of those who have died in the line of duty. The traditional 5-5-5-5 was rung four times in honor of who lost their lives on that day. The bell that was used was donated to the Marco Island Fire Department by the Roseboom Family of Marco Island. There was a special dedication of this symbolic bell on September 11, 2002, on the one-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, and it has been rung on each anniversary since then, and on the passing of department members at their memorial services.

Upon completion of the new Station 50 Fire Headquarters and the Emergency Command Center, a place of honor was dedicated for the display of the bell and a commemorative piece of the World Trade Center iron works.

The gathering included department retirees, city staff, Fire and Police Foundation Members and citizens, all assembled on this, the 22nd anniversary of 9-11, to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives.