Holmes Beach Firefighters Dedicate 9-11 Memorial

Just a few moments ago, at 5:00 p.m., I went from my office next door to the Anna Maria Island fire station, a division of the West Manatee Fire Department.

There, they presented a memorial to the 343 firefighters who perished seven years ago today at the World Trade Center. The memorial was built with local donations and volunteer labor. I wondered what they were constructing there in the last few weeks; now I know.

As part of the memorial are three block structures sitting on a tile base. You can see in attached photos that there are black areas, where granite facings will be mounted, containing the names of each of the firefighters who gave their lives. The granite facings were not yet ready for today's presentation, but will be completed soon, at which time an additional ceremony will be held.

Note also a piece of metal mounted in front of the triptych. It was donated from the remains of the WTC itself.

Chief Andy Price made today's presentation; other members of the West Manatee Department, two retired members of FDNY, friends, media, and other officials were also at the function.

It was an emotional moment for me, in part because of the horror of the terrorist attack, but also because my daughter, Angela, is a firefighter in Orlando. I know she is prepared to lay her life down to protect others when called upon. It was also important to me because the September 11 attacks prompted my other daughter, Erin, who lives in Brooklyn, to contact me after many years of silence.

We shall never forget.