Today in Ybor City, in remembrance of all the first responders and the nearly three-thousand who lost their lives in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington on September 11, 2001, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department unveiled its new 9/11 Fallen Heroes Memorial, donated by New York City’s Port Authority. The long iron beam was salvaged from what was left of the World Trade Center Tower 2. In front of the beam is a sculpture of four “Fearless Champions,” as the artist Becky Ault named the piece. The sidewalk below reads, “We Will Never Forget.”
On a beautiful cloudless summer morning, the Tampa Bay Children’s Choir opened with an Irish blessing, “May the wind always be at your back, may the sun always shine on your face.” A moment of silence was taken for each jet that went down at the exact same time 13 years ago.
Retired Navy Capt. Jeff Cathey, a Tampa native and adjunct professor at USF said, “We are here today to celebrate the strength and the selflessness of a community.” He believes the events of 9/11 were a full frontal assault on the entire country. He said the focus of today was to remember the law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, military service members, government officials and freedom loving citizens everywhere.
Cathay says the memorial represents, “The backbone of this country; it’s been reshaped, burned, but not broken, and though we lost some liberties that day we became united with steel resolve." He says it is fitting to have it Tampa, where one of our first lines of defense lies at, MacDill Air force Base. He describes the U.S. as a beacon of freedom where one can write, speak and chart your own course; worship, vote and sign a contract safely.
Sheriff of Hillsborough County, David Gee believes that in the days that followed, the country came together, erased divisions, and that people of all faiths joined together for peace, in the pursuit of justice. “America’s resolve at that time was unanimous.” In the upcoming conflicts in the Middle East, he hopes that this memorial might re-instill in the unanimous strength and commitment that people had back then.
A wreath was laid in dedication to the Muldowney family, who lost their son and brother Richard T. Muldowney, and cousin Kenny Watson, both New York City fire fighters who lost their lives trying to help people at the World Trade Center.
Sheriff David Gee describes the importance of holding memorials as a way to never forget, and to educate our children and future generations. He quotes Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.”