North Port remembers 9/11
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
North Port Police Lt. Ed Fitzpatrick stands at attention as taps is played by VFW Post 8203 member Ron Gauthier during Tuesday's Sept. 11 ceremony near City Hall.
SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com
Denny Jaworski of Venice bows his head and places his hand — and his FDNY cap — over his heart Tuesday morning as taps plays during North Port's 9/11 remembrance ceremony. A retired Michigan firefighter, Jaworski and other first responders from his Michigan station went to New York City and spent two weeks helping following the terrorist attacks. His tattoos, honoring his fire service and the twin towers, show his committment to never forget that day and its aftermath.
SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com
With the flag at half-staff catching the breeze, Ed Fitzpatrick and Scott Smith play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes during the ceremony as North Port City Clerk Helen Raimbeau, right, listens.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
Residents take a moment of silence during the ceremony to remember the more than 3,000 who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.
SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
Mary Craine Noonan, widow of retired New York City paramedic Mike Noonan — who frequently spoke at past North Port 9/11 ceremonies and who passed away in June — and their sons, Liam and Finbar, were recognized during the ceremony by North Port Fire Chief Bill Taaffe.
SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER
Members of the North Port police and fire department honor guards escort the flag Tuesday morning at the start of the city's 9/11 remembrance ceremony. About 200 turned out to mark the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
SUN PHOHTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH, eallen@sun-herald.com
Members of the Early Bird Kiwanis Club presented a cake from Publix to North Port Fire Rescue workers Tuesday. They also were given cards made by Atwater Elementary School students. Two special "hummingbird delight" cakes, donated by Publix, were given to police officers, along with cards made by students at Glenallen Elementary School and members of Brownie Troop 241.
Manuel Alamo
NORTH PORT —
North Port residents paused Tuesday to mark the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and to honor the memory of all who died, all who served and those who still serve as first responders and members of the armed forces.
“The wounds (of 9/11) are so fresh, and we take solace in God in times of such tragedy,” said NPPD Chaplain, the Rev. Eddie De Jesus, New Hope Community Church pastor, in his invocation. “God has urged us always to remember … with gratitude those ordinary people who became extraordinary heroes.”
