Although it has been 25 years since the United States was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, raw emotions still come to the surface for those who remember that dark day.
Johnny Schroeder, a retired New York firefighter who was on Engine 10, the first company to arrive at the World Trade Center after a jet airliner struck the north tower, spoke during a Sarasota Ministerial Association 9/11 commemoration at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Schroeder said he shouldn’t be alive, recounting moments of that terrible day in which he barely escaped the collapse of both towers, the horrific loss of countless friends, and how he suffers the lingering health struggles from inhaling toxic dust while working at Ground Zero. “I’m here to say thank you all for showing up and being here,” Schroeder said. “To all who survived that day, 25 years later we’re still rocking it.”
The commemoration included talks by various first responders and 9/11 survivors about the necessity to continue to mark Sept. 11, so that people can remember that day and its impact on America, to honor the fallen and to thank the first responders, and members of the military and veterans. The event was made possible in partnership with the Diocese of Venice and Sarasota County Emergency Services.
Father Jacob Gwynn, U.S. Navy Reserve, of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Naples, offered the opening invocation. Father Jiobani Batista and Deacon Humberto Alvia, of St. Jude Parish, Sarasota, offered the prayer of condolences in English and Spanish. Other priests and deacons from St. Martha and Incarnation parishes in Sarasota also participated. Students from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Sarasota, volunteered and handed out programs and water.
The commemoration included the colors presented by a combined fire, police and sheriff’s office honor guard, a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, patriotic music, and a flyover by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. The remembrance concluded with a 21-gun salute by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and the playing of “Taps.”
Several Diocesan parishes celebrated commemorative Masses, including at St. Thomas More, Sarasota, St. John XXIII, Fort Myers, as well as at St. Peter the Apostles, St. Agnes, and St. John the Evangelist, each in Naples.
A Blue Mass to honor first responders took place Sept. 13, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Venice. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Rector of Epiphany Cathedral. Msgr. Dubois acknowledged and was in awe of the selfless acts of bravery by all first responders, from those who entered the Twin Towers on 9/11 to those who work in the local community each day.
The Mass included the Sarasota County Fire Department Honor Guard, uniformed firefighters, Venice police officers, North Port police officers, Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies, K-9 search and rescue teams, among others. In addition, the Knights of Columbus Color Corps, the Knights on Bikes and many members of the Knights Council 9924 took part in the opening procession. The service concluded with the reading of the names of several retired first responders who died in the past year.
Diocesan Catholic schools also commemorated the 9/11 attacks, where the lessons were about remembering and educating a new generation about the impacts of 9/11 on the nation and the world, particularly because none of the students were born when the attacks occurred.
Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers gathered to remember those lives, to hear the personal stories of those who experienced that day, and to pray together as one school. In addition, 2,977 American flags were placed across the front of the campus – one for each life lost on September 11, 2001. Prior to the evening home football game, there was a tribute to first responders, the military and veterans.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement, which said in part: “As conflicts intensify around the world, let us renew our commitment to be Christ’s instruments of peace in an increasingly fractured and divided world.” To read the full statement, please visit Marking September 11 Anniversary, Archbishop Coakley Offers Prayers and Encourages Continued Commitment to be Instruments of Peace | USCCB.
All other schools held prayer services to mark the day.
