JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Communities across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with local memorial services, honor marches, and moments of silence this Friday, Sept. 11.
First responders, local government leaders, and law enforcement agencies throughout the region will host public observances honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Events are scheduled in Glynn, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau and Clay counties. Several ceremonies will feature traditional first responder honors, including color guards, 21-gun salutes and the fire service tradition of tolling “The Four 5s” on a fire bell.
Here is the information on the local observances:
Glynn County and Brunswick
In Glynn County, Ga., a community remembrance ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse at 701 G Street in Brunswick. The joint effort between Glynn County, the City of Brunswick Government, and the Jekyll Island Authority will feature former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson as the keynote speaker. The observance includes moments of silence, musical tributes and the presentation and retiring of colors.
St. Augustine
The City of St. Augustine will hold its 25th Anniversary Ceremony of Remembrance at 8:30 a.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución, returning to the location of its original 2002 observance. The live-streamed 15-minute program will feature music, an invocation, a presentation of colors by a multi-agency honor guard, and remarks from retired FDNY Capt. Chris Garaizar.
Fire Chief Carlos Aviles reflected on the ceremony’s return to the downtown plaza. “It is an honor every year and especially this year, to serve as the stewards of this ceremony,” Aviles said in a news release. “It carries forward the original intent and simplicity of the first ceremony, providing our community with a place to gather and reflect, but more importantly, the ceremony is a promise that no one will stand alone as they remember. May we never forget the courage and resilience that emerged from this tragedy.”
A moment of silence is scheduled for 8:45 a.m., followed by the fire department performing the traditional “Striking the Four 5’s” bell toll and bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.”
Jacksonville International Airport
At Jacksonville International Airport, security checkpoints will briefly close at 8:46 a.m. for a moment of silence in the pre-security courtyard. Staff from the Transportation Security Administration, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s Safety & Security department will observe the tribute following a presentation by the TSA honor guard.
Nassau County
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office will host a memorial ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Memorial, located at 77151 Citizens Circle in Yulee. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and Nassau Fire Chief Brady Rigdon will deliver remarks. Chief Rigdon will also swear in eight new firefighters during the event. The ceremony includes performances by the Nassau Community Band, a 21-gun salute, a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.
Clay County
In Clay County, local first responders will conduct an Honor March through downtown Green Cove Springs along Palmetto Avenue and Walnut Street starting at 9:15 a.m. The march will conclude at the Spring Park gazebo for a 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Officials will read the names of more than 400 firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The Clay County Fire Rescue Honor Guard will strike “The Four 5s” before a local bagpipe group closes the service with “Amazing Grace.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
