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Ceremonies Mark 9/11 Anniversary

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

Updated: 09/05/2007 11:16 am

BRANDON - Tuesday marks the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93.

Two public tributes planned in the Brandon area will honor the hundreds of civilians, military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who perished that day.

A Service of Remembrance Day will be held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, 6919 Providence Road in Riverview.

'For most of us, never a day goes by without remembering 9/11, which changed our lives forever,' said Michael Wick, Serenity Meadows president. 'We will never forget to honor those who lived through and who died on this tragic day.'

High school choirs from Riverview and Bloomingdale will perform, and Boy Scout Troop 110 will serve as color guard. The guest speaker will be Col. Greg Brown of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Guest of honor Daniel Middaugh, an East Bay High School junior, was recognized in May by President Bush for logging more than 600 hours of community service. The 16-year-old has served at numerous community events, including those held to honor and benefit American veterans.

The Hillsborough County Veteran's Council will hold a memorial ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Veteran's Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.

Dave Braun, Veterans Council president, said that in addition to honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, it's important to remember the thousands of military men and women who continue to fight the war on terrorism.

'The more we remember 9/11, that lends credibility to the war we have going. We've got to keep our guard up and remember that 9/11 officially started a long time ago. It's actually been going on for 30 or 40 years. Those we lost on the USS Cole, and in Beirut, all those people were lost for the same reason, and we can't forget that,' Braun said.

At its annual memorial ceremony, the council displays uniform hats worn by people killed that day.

'We invite special guests to bring up a policeman's hat, a nurses cap, a construction worker's helmet. It's a very solemn ceremony representing each one of those identities,' Braun said.

'There were many, many military members and veterans killed that day, particularly at the Pentagon. We will always remember our veterans and our law enforcement and all those who came together on the worst day America has ever faced since Pearl Harbor.'

For information about the Hillsborough County Veteran's Council memorial ceremony, call (813) 975-2181.

For information about the Serenity Meadows Memorial Park Service Day of Remembrance, call (813) 677-9494.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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