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.
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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.
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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.