A Quarter Of A Century Ago That Seems Like Yesterday - Communities In Broward And Miami-Dade Counties Plan 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies To Honor The 25th Anniversary

The attacks killed almost 3,000 people on September 11, 2001. Many of them were discovered after the World Trade Center in New York was destroyed. The rest perished at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In addition, since 09/11 the CDC has estimated these health impacts:

"An estimated 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants, risk of physical injury, and physically and emotionally stressful conditions in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks. Responders who worked on the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts reported a range of illnesses soon after the attacks. Survivors who lived, worked, and attended school in Lower Manhattan, some who remained throughout and some who returned to their lives in the disaster area, started reporting illnesses as well." www.cdc.gov

Today, a countless number of families and friends in America and abroad still feel the pain of losing their loved ones. South Floridians also vividly remember the victims, survivors, and first responders of 9/11/2001. That's why, on or around September 11, communities in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties planned 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies to honor the 25th Anniversary.

Looking at Broward County, it's certain that the Margate Fire Department never forgot September 11, 2001 because starting at 9 a.m., city firefighters organized a very extensive 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony at the Firefighter Memorial Area at Firefighters Park, 2500 North Rock Island Road.

Activities include: Fire Chief Roberto Lorenzo welcoming attendees, honor guard presenting the colors, National Anthem, introduction of city officials and fire department leadership, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Presentation, Memorial Apron Dedication, Firefighter’s Prayer, playing of taps, ceremonial bell ringing, and closing remarks. Additional info, call: (954) 971-7010.

Coral Springs will begin its Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The event (includes a symbolic wreath laying, presentation of colors, and the playing of taps) and will be in front of the city’s 9/11 Memorial at Northwest Regional Library, 3151 North University Drive. More info, call: (954) 357-7990.

Pompano Beach will conduct its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony from (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) at the city's Charlotte J. Burrie Community Center, 2669 North Federal Highway. The event will feature patriotic music, jazz, and art. More info, call: (954) 786-4111.

In Sunrise, the city will hold its September 11 Remembrance Ceremony starting at 8:30 a.m. The affair, at the Sunrise Civic Center Theater, 10610 West Oakland Park Boulevard, will have a memorial display, presentation of colors, and musical performances. More info, call: (954) 747-4600.

Meanwhile, the City of Fort Lauderdale, partnering with the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, 1022 West Las Olas Boulevard, will host their 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony outside the museum beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event features a moment of silence in solemn remembrance, pipe and drum performances, a presentation of colors, and speeches from city officials and first responders. More info, email: flfiremuseum@gmail.com.

The City of Dania Beach on September 11th, commencing at 8:30 a.m., will have its Patriot Day Ceremony saluting the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. The occasion will held be at Dania Beach Fire Rescue Station 1, 116 West Dania Beach Boulevard. It features remarks from city officials with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, and the community can reflect and pay their respects there. More info, call: (954) 924-6800.

Furthermore, on September 11th at around 9:30 a.m., Western High School, 1200 Southwest 136th Avenue in Davie, oversees its “We Will Never Forget” 9/11 Memorial Ceremony featuring student-made replicas of the Twin Towers and Pentagon alongside a flagpole marking the United Airlines Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania. Participants include students, families, faculty members, and local first responders. Additional info, call: (754) 323-2400.

In Pembroke Pines, starting at 8:30 a.m., its September 11 Remembrance Commemoration will be at the city’s 9/11 Memorial at Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. Guests can see the 9/11 Memorial featuring a real steel grinder salvaged from the Twin Towers. The ceremony showcases a color presentation and local school bands performing patriotic music. More info, call: (954) 392-2116.

In the City of Hollywood, the 25th Anniversary Commemoration will be conducted by Hollywood Fire Rescue. This Laying of the Wreath 9/11 Ceremony is slated for 8:30 a.m. at Fire Rescue Station 31, 3401 Hollywood Boulevard, where first responders and residents will remember the victims and honor the heroes of that day. More info, call: (954) 967-4357.

Simultaneously, the City of Miramar kicks off its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at about 8:15 a.m. Hosted by Mayor Wayne M. Messam, the solemn community gathering will take place at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway.

Additionally, Miramar Regional Park is home to two preserved World Trade Center steel beams. This remembrance will feature moments of silence and moving reflections to honor the deceased victims and first responders. More info, call: (954) 602-4357.

Also on September 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., the Town of Southwest Ranches will launch its Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony (25 Years of 9/11/2001 Remembrance Affair) saluting the brave and remembering the fallen. The juncture at Southwest Ranches Town Hall, 13400 Griffin Road, and will feature brief remarks, National Anthem, and a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. More info, call: (954) 434-0008.

In Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and U.S. Southern Command will hold its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Miami's Tropical Park, 7900 Southwest 40th Street. The park features permanent 9/11 memorial twin towers and a Pentagon-shaped stone monument. Activities include: wreath-laying ceremonies, reading of the names of fallen sworn personnel, and military/first responder tributes in front of Tropical Park’s September 11 Memorial. More info, dial 311. Outside the county, call: (305) 468-5900.

Moreover, starting at 10:00 a.m., the City of Miami Gardens planned its “We Will Never Forget” 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Dr. Lester B. Brown Park, 19405 Northwest 32nd Avenue. Ceremonial activities consist of opening remarks from elected officials, presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, music, and remarks from a first responder. Additional information, call (305) 622-8000.

In unincorporated Miami-Dade County, commencing at about 9:00 a.m., Miami-Dade College North Campus and its School of Justice (main training hub for first responders) will honor the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, at its on-campus 9/11 Memorial, 11380 Northwest 27th Avenue. The North Campus is home to two permanent steel beam relics from the World Trade Center, donated by the Port of New York and New Jersey. More info, call: (305) 237-1400.

Also beginning at 8:30 a.m. on September 11, the Town of Miami Lakes will commemorate the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 at Veterans Park, 15151 Northwest 82nd Avenue in Miami Lakes. The ceremony consists of a bell-ringing tribute, wreath-laying, and musical performances. Additionally, hundreds of memorial flags will also be placed across the park’s lawn to honor each victim. More info, call: (305) 364-6100.

Meanwhile, starting at 10:00 a.m., the honor guard with the Miami Shores Police Department is conducting its 9/11 Anniversary by placing a wreath at its Memorial Park on Northeast Second Avenue between 93rd and 94th Streets.

The 9/11 Memorial at the Village of Miami Shores’ Memorial Park also displays a World Trade Center steel beam monument obtained through the Port of New York and New Jersey. More info, call: (305) 759-2468.

On September 12, starting at 6:00 a.m., the City of Coral Gables’ Fire and Police Departments will conduct its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in front of the Fire Station on Alcazar Avenue. The commemoration features an honor guard, a traditional bell toll, and a bugler. Additional info, call: (305) 446-6800.

Furthermore, on September 12 in Coral Gables, commencing at 6:00 a.m., the University of Miami Army ROTC will kick off its 9/11 Ruck to Remember at 1306 Standford Drive. Ruck to Remember is a 9.11-mile march through Coral Gables in honor of the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11/2001. At the start of the march, activities will include flags, formation, and a moment of remembrance. More info, email: UMRucktoRemember@gmail.com.

Yet another September 11 Commemoration will commence at 8:30 a.m. at the City of Miami Beach. That's where Miami Beach Police and Fire Departments will meet at the city's Fire Station 2, 2300 Pine Tree Drive. The event includes a moment of silence commencing at 8:46 a.m., joint police and fire honor guard, and the American flag lowering to half-staff. More info, call: (305) 673-7420.

Besides Miami Beach's 9/11 Fire Station 2 venue, this September 11th at 6:00 p.m. the Miami Beach VFW Post 3559, on 650 West Avenue, partnering with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, has prepared a Patriot Day event. The occasion salutes fallen victims, first responders, and service members for the Silver Anniversary of September 11, 2001. The event highlights the official unveiling of the restored historic anti-aircraft gun honoring the Global War on Terrorism, Veterans, and those Lost. More info, call: (305) 672-1990.

Moreover, on September 11, starting at 9:30 p.m. in the City of South Miami, Fire Brigade 305 (a rock band made up of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue members) will throw a “Never Forget 343” 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Rock Show. The band, honoring both the anniversary and the 343 deceased members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), will perform at 10:00 p.m. at Bougainvillea’s Old Tavern Bar, 7221 Southwest 58th Avenue in South Miami. More info, email: thefirebrigade@yahoo.com.

In addition, on September 11, starting at 8:00 a.m., Key Biscayne’s Fire Rescue and Police Departments will have its remembrance affair at the flagpole area outside the Fire Station, 560 Crandon Boulevard. Actitivies consist of an honor guard presentation, bell tolls, and lowering of the American flag to half-staff. More info, call: (305) 365-8989.

Lastly, firefighters, airmen, civilians, and dependents will meet to honor the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 at Homestea Air Reserve Base's internal Fire Department, 12448 Ploesti Road in Homestead. The tribute features the ringing of a bell, a moment of silence, and a 2-mile tribute walk. Additional info, call: (786) 415-7117.

Twenty-five years later, September 11, 2001, remains a day etched deeply into the hearts and memories of Americans everywhere. From Broward to Miami-Dade and around the world, these ceremonies demonstrate that the passage of time has not diminished the nation’s gratitude for the first responders, military personnel, survivors, and ordinary citizens who showed extraordinary courage during one of America’s darkest days. As South Florida communities gather to ring bells, lay wreaths, display flags, and share stories, they will once again send a simple but powerful message to future generations: we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, we honor those who answered the call, and we will never forget.