PATRIOT DAY: MONROE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE REMEMBERS THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON SEPT. 11; PUBLIC INVITED
MONROE COUNTY, FL – September 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000 others at the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
On Sept. 11, 2001, in addition to law enforcement officers, medical service providers, and other public servants, 343 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.
“On September 11, we pause to remember the lives lost and the heroes who answered the call,” said Chief RL Colina. “We are honored to continue to invite our community to join us at our fire stations as we remember their legacy and reflect on the importance of service, sacrifice, and unity.”
Monroe County Fire Rescue invites the public to any of the Monroe County Fire Rescue stations on Sept. 11 to reflect on the lives lost.
- 9:50 a.m. – Primary apparatus brought out of the station bay.
- 9:59 – (Time of the South Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
- 10:00 to 10:28 – Time for personal remembrance and reflection.
- 10:28 – (Time of the North Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
- 10:29 – Flag raised and then returned to half-staff.
- 10:30 – Return apparatus to station and resume normal duties.
During the remembrance, normal emergency response actions will be observed if needed.
Stations are located at:
- Station 8 – Stock Island, 5655 MacDonald Avenue, MM 5
- Station 9 – Big Coppitt, 28 Emerald Drive, MM 10
- Station 11 – Cudjoe, 22352 Overseas Highway, MM 22
- Station 13 – Big Pine Key, 390 Key Deer Boulevard, MM 30.5
- Station 17 – Conch Key, 10 S Conch Avenue, MM 63
- Station 18 – Layton, 68260 Overseas Highway, MM 68.5
- Station 22 – Tavernier, 151 Marine Avenue, MM 92
Monroe County Fire Rescue will be honoring those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, at each of the seven stations starting at 9:50 a.m. on Sept. 11. The public is welcome to join.
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION AND GERRARD/THOMAS FAMILY TO HOST 5K NOV. 21
BIG PINE KEY – Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports our nation’s fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes, and their families, created in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. Nicole Gerrard, Naima Thomas (wife and daughter of the late Monroe County Fire Rescue Firefighter Herve Thomas), and Tunnel to Towers are hosting a 5K on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Park. To register for the 5K, donate, and volunteer, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/BigPineKey/TunneltoTowers5KRunWalkBigPineKeyFL or www.t2t.org. Email bigpinekeyrun@t2t.org for more information.
SAVE THE DATE: In continuation of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, in November, Monroe County and the Tourist Development Council will also host the Tunnel to Towers “Never Forget” traveling 9/11 exhibit, along with a U.S. Army Knights paratrooper drop-in and drone show Nov. 17 at Founder’s Park in Islamorada and the evening before the run on Nov. 20 at Big Pine Key Community Park.