On the lawn in front of City Council Chambers at 8:30 a.m. today, dozens gathered to pay tribute to the thousands who lost their lives in the terrorist attack that rocked not just the nation, but the world 22 years ago. The city of Cape Coral's 9/11 remembrance ceremony ended with attendees staking 2,977 American flags, each with a name of a victim of the attacks, in the front lawn of City Hall to honor their memory and reaffirming that “We Will Never Forget.” Photo by City of Photo by City of Cape Coral marketing specialist Sarah Newcomb

Americans, as a people, vowed to always remember the events that took place on Sept. 11, 2001.

And on Monday morning in Cape Coral, first responders, city leaders, and members of the public gathered to “never forget.”

On the lawn in front of City Council Chambers at 8:30 a.m., dozens gathered to pay tribute to the thousands who lost their lives in the terrorist attack that rocked not just the nation, but the world 22 years ago.

“On Sept. 11th, our world was shaken by acts of terrorism,” said Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter. “Today, we stand united to remember that day, and honor all the lives that were lost on that particular day.”

Presentation of colors was performed by the Cape Coral Fire and Police Honor Guards. An invocation was read, and remarks were made from Mayor John Gunter, Police Chief Anthony Sizemore, and Fire Chief Ryan Lamb.

The city of Cape Coral's 9/11 remembrance ceremony ended with attendees staking 2,977 American flags, each with a name of a victim of the attacks, in the front lawn of City Hall to honor their memory and reaffirming that “We Will Never Forget.” Photo by City of Cape Coral marketing specialist Sarah Newcomb

A moment of silence was held at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when American Airlines Flight 11 impacted the World Trade Center North Tower.

The terrorist attack on the United States reshaped the path of the nation moving forward, and tragically, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives and still many feel after effects today.

Gunter shared sympathy for the families who lost a loved one on that day, as they have to re-live their pain not just once every year.

“Those families that lost loved ones, they have to wake up every single morning, and they have to deal with that loss of life,” Gunter said. “Whether it was their husband, wife, mother, father… they have to deal with that every day.”

Police Chief Anthony Sizemore was working as a patrol officer with the CCPD on Sept. 11, 2001, and recalled coming into work the next day wondering what to do and where to go.

City public safety personnel and officials take part on a 9/11 remembrance at City Hall this morning. Photo by City of Cape Coral marketing specialist Sarah Newcomb

“Very quickly, we were galvanized and knew that our mission was to be there for the community,” Sizemore said. “I distinctly recall fire trucks with the American flag waving off the back. American flags on homes — not flags of a candidate they like or a candidate they hate — but the American flag. And there was a true coming together.

“I think today, more than ever, if you look at a divided nation, we need the spirit of 9/12.”

CCFD Chief Ryan Lamb shared the story of a passenger on one of the planes that struck the World Trade Center, and the voicemail he left his wife before impact.

How he told her to have good times, that he loved her, that he wanted her to have a full life, and that he’d see her in the afterlife.

Lamb then detailed the timeline of events on Sept. 11, 2001. How the North Tower was struck first, then the second. How a plane impacted the Pentagon. How both of the iconic Twin Towers collapsed. That a plane was down in a field in Pennsylvania that was also earmarked for deadly intentions.

“The effects of those actions and events are still being felt today by those that are still having medical events from Ground Zero,” Lamb said. “However, the site has now been cleared of debris, and a new building has been built in its place. But the people lost that day cannot be replaced. We can only remember their sacrifice.

“We recognize those that ran to danger, as others fled.”

The ceremony ended with attendees staking 2,977 American flags, each with a name of a victim of the attacks, in the front lawn of City Hall to honor their memory and reaffirming that “We Will Never Forget.”

Of the nearly 3,000 that perished, 343 were FDNY firefighters, and 71 law enforcement officers.

A broadcast of the ceremony can be viewed on the Cape Coral Fire Department Facebook page (@CapeCoralFD).