Coral Springs Commemorates First Responders, Victims of 9/11 at Memorial Event

City Manager Frank Babinec delivers remarks as Commissioner Nancy Metayer Bowen looks on. {City of Coral Springs}

By Bryan Boggiano

Coral Springs residents, police officers, firefighters, elected officials, and municipal leaders gathered Monday morning at Northwest Regional Library to remember the 2,977 people who perished during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 22 years ago.

City Manager Frank Babinec, Commissioners Joy Carter and Nancy Metayer Bowen, and Police Chaplain Andy Fernandez all delivered remarks.

“Thank you to our first responders who give so much of their lives and sacrifices to their families,” Carter said.

Similarly, Metayer Bowen thanked first responders, military veterans, and active duty service members for their continued efforts to keep America safe. 

“Your service does not go unrecognized,” she said. “We appreciate you all and thank you for your service.”

Officials also laid a wreath at the city’s 9/11 memorial while Coral Springs Pipes and Drums played during processions.

The city’s current and former first responders, including Babinec, Police Chief Brad McKeone, and Fire Chief Michael McNally, reflected on that day and the importance of ensuring the memory of Sept. 11 remains alive.

McNally, a public safety officer at the time, remembered hearing about the news while driving westbound along Holmberg Road. He went to a nearby apartment complex, where he watched in disbelief the horror of that day unfolding on television.

While McNally still remembers where he was and what he was doing when he learned about 9/11, he said it is essential for people who were not born yet or did not remember that day to understand what happened and how first responders made the ultimate sacrifice.

“They were faced with an unimaginable task of a 110-story building, and without hesitation, they went in there to try to save lives, and they did save many lives…,” he said.

McKeone, who visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York and spoke to families and first responders, said America owes it to people affected by the attacks to keep the memory of that day alive.

“They ran to that building that day to save lives, and it cost several hundred of their lives,” he said. “I think it’s important for future generations, the further we get from the actual day, to remember and make sure that sacrifice isn’t forgotten and what everything stands for.”

Babinec said people often do not recognize what public service means, but the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities do so regardless.

He said not only was this the case on 9/11, but every day in every community. He paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, their families, and everybody else affected.

“The City of Coral Springs stands with all of the families of all of the loved ones that have really suffered for the past 22 years,” he said. “The whole nation was affected, but the sacrifices that were very meaningful that were put forward that day did not go unrecognized or unnoticed, and its important that we’re doing stuff like this every year to honor those who deserve the honor.”

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