Hundreds Gather for BSO Third Annual Patriots Day in Memory of 9/11

Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl Delivers Keynote Address


Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl joined members of the Broward Sheriff's Office and Fire Department at the Third Annual Patriots Day event in memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and once again hundreds of people attended the event.

"It has been nine years. The time has gone by fast, but the memory does not fade," said Mayor Keechl as he addressed the men and women who gathered at the John R. Cochran Public Service Building . "As we gather here, we reinforce and practice the promise that 'We shall never forget.'"

Mayor Keechl spoke as the first bell sounded at 8:46 a.m., the exact time that American Airlines Flight #11 struck the north tower of the World Trade Center . Retired New York Police Department Inspector Ronald Wasson followed with remarks prior to the second bell at 9:03 a.m. the time that United Airlines Flight #175 struck the south tower of the World Trade Center at the 81st floor. Retired Fire Department of New York Lieutenant Michael "Mickey" Kross spoke just before the third bell sounded at 9:43 a.m. marking the time when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. At 10:05 a.m., the south tower collapsed and one minute later, hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 with 40 passengers and crew crashed into a field in Pennsylvania .

"What we must remember is that when America is under attack, we come together. Fear takes a back seat and honor prevails. Heroes emerge. In the heart and soul of every American lies a patriot. That's personified when we think about the passengers aboard Flight 93. Or the three firefighters who hoisted the American flag above the smoldering ruins of the World Trade Center . As Americans, you can't separate our soul from our soil," said Mayor Keechl.

In all, 2,998 innocent people perished on September 11, 2001, including 343 NYC firefighters, 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority officers. To honor the memory of those who lost their lives, a donated piece of the World Trade Center steel was unveiled on September 11, 2009 and is on permanent display in the lobby of the Broward Sheriff's Office main headquarters, located at 2601 West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale .