As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, join
the City of Sunrise in honoring the victims, heroes and survivors of 9-11. Wednesday,
September 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.m; Flamingo Park Meeting Hall; 12855 NW 8th Street
Each year since September 11, 2001, we in Sunrise gather to solemnly reflect and
remember. For many of us, those moments on that clear, otherwise beautiful September
morning 23 years ago, are as vivid now as they were then.
2,977 Innocent and heroes stolen from us. 246 passengers and crew murdered. At
the World Trade Center alone: 343 FDNY firefighters and paramedics, 60 NYPD
officers, 60 Port Authority Officers.
We also learned of exceptional and inspirational heroism. Police, Fire, and Other
Rescuers who died as Heroes, giving the ultimate sacrifice, running towards and up the
burning towers, desperate to save. Or those on Flight 93 who fought to regain control of
the cockpit, with full knowledge of what had already happened to other planes, fighting
to save more than themselves … to protect more innocent Americans on the ground … to
protect our institutions … to protect our nation … heroism.
The bravery, sacrifice, and humanity of our first responders and those on Flight 93
are what the world embraces as the highest ideals of the human spirit of what it means to
be a hero.
Since those moments, inspired young men and women heard the call to arms to
defend near and far. Some serving our nation today were not even born yet on September
11, 2001. But the learned images and impact of 9/11 reverberated so deeply, that they,
like those on September 11, 2001, heeded the call to serve our nation to make sure this
never happens again … and they serve us to this day.
The consequences of the inspired response near and far were that thousands more
have died or now live with the health consequences from being at ground zero or carry
the scars from trying to save or recover our dignity in the wreckage, in seeking justice or
protecting our shores. Some have come home from battle with scars seen and unseen …
real consequences directly tethered to that Tuesday morning in September 2001. And
many have given the ultimate sacrifice – the fallen who heeded the call to duty when our
nation was attacked, and we are eternally grateful to the fallen and their families.
We dedicate these moments of our shared connection to the immense love and
gratitude we feel for those Innocent Heroes who died in the embrace of freedom on that
date and since.
For all those who continue to struggle with the consequences.
For our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who have given their lives in the pursuit of those who perpetrated these despicable crimes of terror
and who gave harbor and support
For those, this very moment, deployed throughout the world protecting us from
those who dare try again to bring such evil to our shores.
We dedicate our time on 9/11 and every day forward through the deeply important
words:
We can never forget
We will never forget
We shall never forget
