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On 9/11, first responders in South Florida meet to remember lives lost

After 23 years, Americans remember terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A Miami Beach fire rescue personnel and police officers stood near a U.S. flag and an “Always Remember” sign during a pause to remember the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Daniel Morgalo, who serves as the police department’s assistant chief, said the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, is “one of the most solemn” for first responders.

“We have to remember the sacrifices that were made,” Morgalo said.

Related story: US commemorates 9/11 attacks with victims in focus, but politics in view

There was a similar ceremony at the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies joined Sheriff Gregory Tony for a stair climb.

Events such as these continue 23 years after terrorists turned four passenger Boeing planes full of fuel into guided missiles. Two destroyed the World Trade Center. One crashed into The Pentagon. A third crashed at Shanksville, Pa., after passengers fought back.

American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. United Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m.

Related section: How Americans mark 23rd anniversary

United Flight 93 crashed at 10:03 a.m. after passengers fought back against the hijackers and died in Shanksville, where there is a monument to remember their courage.

The attacks killed 2,977 people and later many responders — including NYPD officers, FDNY personnel, and FBI agents — died of illnesses related to their work at Ground Zero. The terrorist attacks changed foreign policy for generations. The “Global War on Terrorism” followed in Afghanistan and Iraq.


About the Authors
Jenise Fernandez headshot

Jenise Fernandez joined the Local 10 News team in November 2014. She is thrilled to be back home reporting for the station she grew up watching. Jenise, who is from Miami and graduated from Florida International University, also interned at Local 10 while she was in college.

Saira Anwer headshot

Saira Anwer joined the Local 10 News team in July 2018. Saira is two-time Emmy-nominated reporter and comes to South Florida from Madison, Wisconsin, where she was working as a reporter and anchor.

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