The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus held a ceremony to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, honoring both those who lost their lives and the first responders involved. The event began with a 21-gun salute performed by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and included the playing of Taps by members of the United States Marine Corps.
Edward Grayson, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation and a responder at the World Trade Center site, delivered the keynote address. He reflected on his experiences following September 11, stating: “I’ll never forget September 11, 2001 — the emotion and images of that day and the days after will be etched in my mind forever. As we gather for this memorial 24 years later, we must honor the victims and brave first responders who perished that day and the scores of responders who have passed due to 9/11-related illnesses since then.”
Carlos Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs as well as organizer of the event, highlighted why remembrance remains important. “We will never forget the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001, by those who bravely did their duty to try to rescue as many people as they could,” Moreira said. “We also want to honor those who continue to serve and protect us.”
The program included remarks from Moreira; a Color Guard from Tampa’s 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion; a rendition of the National Anthem by Alexandra Bennettson from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School; wreath placement; a moment of silence with bell ringing; comments from Richard Sellwood, SVP/Chief Operating Officer at USF Credit Union; and remarks from Interim Regional Chancellor Brett E. Kemker. Musical tributes were provided by Braden River Brass, bagpiper Ross Allen, Sergeant Major Enrique E. Alvarez performing “Old Glory,” as well as students from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School performing patriotic songs.
Interim Regional Chancellor Brett E. Kemker spoke about how communities responded in unity after September 11: “This ceremony is a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days,” Kemker said. “We gather not only to honor the lives lost, but to recognize the courage of those who responded and the strength of those who continue to serve.” He added: “What unfolded in the days and weeks that followed ran the gamut from sadness and grieving, of course,” Kemker said. “But also an atmosphere began to evolve where strangers connected, where people offered support and kindness to others, where families helped one another, and where American flags were flown on youth soccer fields, from the back of pickup trucks, and at people’s homes.”
Ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, volunteers planted nearly three thousand American flags in front of USF Sarasota-Manatee—one for each person killed in New York City at Ground Zero (the World Trade Center), at The Pentagon near Washington D.C., or aboard Flight 93 which crashed near Shanksville Pennsylvania on September 11th (https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/names-911-memorial). Volunteers included representatives from multiple USF campuses’ Offices for Veteran Success along with community organizations such as Tidewell Foundation and Daughters Of The American Revolution.
According to organizers like Moreira these displays are intended not just for reflection but also education—to ensure future generations understand what happened on September 11 while fostering values such as sacrifice service unity among students veterans military personnel community members alike.
