Patriot Day

9/11: military and first responders remember the fallen 25 years later

In observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, first-responders, Veterans Community Services and civic leaders aim to honor the fallen while inspire a generation too young to recall the historic events of 9/11. Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) members from Hillsborough County high schools and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) cadets will lead the annual Patriot Day 9/11 ceremony featuring:

• A color guard, rifle salute, and taps
• A solemn escort of the beam: a solid 135-pound section of steel salvaged from New York's Twin Towers that resides at Veterans Memorial Park, representing the supreme sacrifices on 9/11
• A traditional fire service ringing of the bell
• HCFR Chief Jason Dougherty, Temple Terrace Fire Chief Ian Kemp, and Plant City Fire Rescue Chief David Dittman

Immediately following the ceremony, students and attendees can enjoy interactive demonstrations from active-duty military members and first responders including:

• Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Drone Response & Underwater Recovery Teams
• MacDill Air Force Base Military Working Dogs (MWD), 6th Security Forces Squadron
• U.S. Coast Guard St. Petersburg Station
• U.S. Marine Corps 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion
• U.S. Naval Reserve Center Tampa

The 25th Anniversary Patriot Day 9/11 event is free and open to the public at Veterans Memorial Park's outdoor amphitheater. Attendees are invited to enjoy the park's many memorials and complimentary assistance from Veteran Community Services.

For more information on Veterans Services, visit HCFL.gov/Veterans.