Florida communities hold ceremonies to mark September 11 anniversary

Various communities across Florida held ceremonies to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In Gainesville, local leaders and community members gathered at City Hall Plaza for a ceremony featuring moments of silence and musical performances. Mayor Harvey Ward issued a proclamation designating the day as Patriots Day, emphasizing the importance of safety and the responsibility of future generations to honor the freedom they inherited.

In Miami, city leaders and first responders met at City Hall to honor the nearly 3,000 victims. The event coincided with the graduation of 44 new City of Miami firefighters. Additional remembrance ceremonies were held in Miami-Dade County at Tropical Park and at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

In Fort Lauderdale, a Broward Sheriff’s Office fire station hosted a memorial featuring a restored 1974 fire engine. The traveling memorial, operated by the Fire Department of New York Retirees of Southeast Florida, serves as a tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives during the attacks.