9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Community event to be held at City Hall
City officials and first responders are inviting the community to join with them in remembering a day that forever changed history.
The Cape Coral Fire Department, Cape Coral Police Department and city of Cape Coral will hold a remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 11, on the front lawn outside of City Hall Council Chambers starting at 8:30 a.m.
This marks 21 years since terrorist attacks on the United States reshaped the path of the nation moving forward, and a day when nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their lives.
The ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the Cape Coral Fire and Police Honor Guards, a moment of silence, an invocation, and remarks from Mayor John Gunter, Police Chief Anthony Sizemore, and Fire Chief Ryan Lamb.
“This event provides firefighters, police officers, and the community the opportunity to remember those killed on September 11, 2001,” Lamb said. “The emotions of the day are felt in the words spoken, seen in the formality and dignity of the Honor Guard, and heard in the music of Taps and the bagpipes. Participants are then able to take those emotions and put them into action by staking American flags, each with a name of one of the 2,977 victims of the attacks, in the front lawn of City Hall. With each flag they stake, they are able to pay their respect to each life that was lost.”
Each flag will reaffirm that “We Will Never Forget.”
“9/11 is a very somber day, especially for those of us who were officers back then,” Sizemore said. “Some of the emotions that come back to the surface are just the disbelief that something of that magnitude happened on U.S. soil.
“I recall showing up for work on Sept. 12th and looking at my fellow officers and feeling a renewed sense of purpose for the job. I also vividly recall our community, as well as our nation, coming together. Neighbors helping neighbors, putting things into perspective such as family and faith, and recognizing that our country is still strong and worth fighting for. It’s hard to believe that someone born on that day is now old enough to be hired as a police officer.”
Lamb added, “The Cape Coral Fire Department is honored to be able to be a part of this event each year just like we are honored to wear the uniform and strive every day to proudly represent our brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice 21 years ago.”
Sizemore said, “We honor those who lost their lives by putting on the uniform each day and putting into action, the values from Sept. 12 — community, serving as a guardian, and being grateful for the opportunity to serve this city, and our country. The ceremony is but a small observation of that tragic day… but more so, it is a reminder of the duty that carries on.”
The ceremony is free and open to the public and will also be broadcast on Facebook Live on the Cape Coral Fire Department page (@CapeCoralFD). City Hall Council Chambers is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
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