September 11th Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony at Founders Park — Lest We Forget

By Kristen Hernandez

Pompano Beach, FL — Tuesday, September 11, 2001, was an unusually beautiful day as millions of commuters arrived in Manhattan for what should have been a typical workday. But the usual hustle and bustle suddenly stopped. In one moment, millions of lives across the earth were irrevocably changed forever.

As thousands poured into Times Square, a horrible image was playing on the Megatron. An airplane crashed into the beloved beacon of New York City, where thousands of people were beginning work. Then, another airplane swerved and crashed into the second tower.

Panic ensued as thick, black smoke poured from the Twin Towers and could be seen as far as New Jersey. The fire raging through over 100 floors of steel and glass was so hot and intense, some people felt no choice but to leap out the windows.

Then, the unthinkable happened. In what seemed like slow motion, the Tower’s floors began to collapse onto themselves. As they hit the ground and the people below, it felt like an earthquake. A gigantic plume of thick, chemical laden smoke engulfed half of New York City, and the people unlucky enough to be near the World Trade Center.

The city of Pompano Beach acquired a chunk of the tower’s twisted remains and created a memorial for residents. Local artist, Cherie Saleeby, took on the task of making art from the bones that was once the welcoming beacon of New York City.

One piece of charred steel and some glass was transformed into a work of art that commemorates the heroes who died during the attack on America. It became a piece aptly titled Unbroken Spine: A Book of American Heroism and contains the names of all first responders who perished that day onto its glass “pages.”

“I chose those elements [glass and steel] because they represent the fragility and strength of first responders, and the actions they had to take in entering the towers and saving those lives,” said Saleeby, during a YouTube video interview with Pompano Beach Public Art Program Manager, Laurie Atria.

Atria placed Unbroken Spine at Founder’s Park in Pompano Beach, located at 215 NE Fourth Street, the site of Pompano’s first fire station. This year on the 22nd anniversary of that tragic day, the city of Pompano hosted a special recognition and remembrance ceremony to honor all our heroes.

Guest speaker, Broward Sheriff’s Office Major Wayne Adkins, summed up the day in one phrase — “Lest we forget.” Simply put, it means September 11, 2001, is a day that should never be forgotten.

“The terrorists attack on 9/11 caused nearly 3,000 deaths that day, as well as over 10,000 injuries,” Adkins said. “Since then, nearly as many died from related illness. In fact, the number of first responders that have died from 9/11 related illnesses now almost equals the number that died during the terrorist attack. These first responders demonstrated the silent power of compassion, patriotism and self-sacrifice. Values that have distinguished our nation from those of others. These are the defining

attributes that brought our nation together and will continue to make this country an example for all over the world.”

Pompano Beach Fire Rescue Chief, Chad Brocato was one of the first responders on the scene of the fateful helicopter crash in Pompano earlier this month. “We only have 250 people in Pompano Beach Fire Rescue. They [New York] lost 343. That would be our entire fire department and some part of another fire department. Consider the gravity of that. Those people also had children, they had spouses, they had family, friends. And yet they knew what their job was.”

First responders are so few, but they sacrifice so much, for so many. Ordinary citizens become someone’s hero each time they put on a uniform to serve and protect our community.

“If the tragic events of this day do not deter the drive for so many to answer the call to serve, that commitment alone deserves a lot of respect,” said guest speaker and former Vietnam Veteran, Joseph Hayes.

Hayes was also the recipient of the Pompano Beach Local Community Hero Award, presented by Mayor Rex Hardin during the ceremony.

“Could you only imagine what the results would be if we had no one to respond?” Hayes asked. “Say thank you to a first responder, regardless of what uniform they wear. It may seem like a small gesture, but it would mean so much.”

BSO Captain Efrain Torres asked his fellow partners in all divisions to renew their pledge to Broward County residents. “Let this be our commitment to those heroes we honor this evening. Let us carry on their unfinished work and strive, in their honor, to promote not only safety and security, but also peace, and above all justice. And as we leave this place, let us do everything in our power to ensure in our lifetime, the stories and the memories, and the rich legacy of those we lost on September 11th will never be forgotten.”