The Bradenton Times Remembers Those Lost

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BRADENTON -- On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives, including over 400 firemen, paramedics, police and port authority officers. TBT would like to express our deepest regrets to the families of those lost on that dark day, while expressing our gratitude for the emergency responders who continue to risk their lives for others.

There are few Americans who do not recall where they were at the moment they first heard that airplanes had struck the twin towers at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and then brought down in a field over Pennsylvania. Our area bares a special relationship with the event, as then-President George Bush was actually visiting Booker Elementary School in Sarasota when he was given the news about the events.

On December 18, 2001, President George W. Bush signe Joint Resolution 71 into law creating a discretionary day of remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. On September 4, 2002, President Bush used the authority created by the resolution and proclaimed September 11, 2002 as Patriot Day, designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. 

On this day, the President requests that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. 

The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. 

Locally, the annual "Tribute to Heroes" memorial service will be held the Bradenton RiverWalk in downtown Bradenton, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event will include participation by the Manatee County Fire Chiefs Association, Bradenton Fire Department, West Manatee Fire Rescue and East Manatee Fire Rescue. Law enforcement and several elected officials will also participate.