Palm Harbor, Fla. (WFLA) — The 911 anniversary event at Curlew Hills Memorial Park was an emotional morning memory that left many shedding tears.
Gov. Ron Desantis is present and emphasizes the importance of continuing to educate the next generation of tragic events that unfolded that day 24 years ago.
9/11 Remembrance Anniversary Events 2025
“It’s important for our children to know that on the worst day when the worst evil was placed before us,” DeSantis said. “We saw the best this country has to offer. We saw true heroism.”
That heroism was Bob Dwyer, a New York City firefighter at the time. Dwyer spoke vividly about the day and the impact he still had from that.
“It was a huge slab of concrete, steel reinforcement, steel pieces,” Dwyer said. “We did what we could. We tried to find a crab. We went as far as we could until we hit the heat.”
The aftermath of searching for the tile rub was even more devastating, he said.
“Two police officers, a young man, came in and covered in soot and placed their arms around one person as they cleaned their faces.
As Thursday’s ceremony continued with a patriotism exhibition, DeSantis and Dwyer both reminded us how precious time we have.
“Subbing down to some of our military forces in our country that are really trying to overturn what America is trying to overturn, like 24 years later,” DeSantis said.
It reminds me that 24 years from now, I will never forget. That sentiment was felt and heard throughout this 911 commemorative ceremony today.
“I got 24 years that I couldn’t get my siblings,” Dwyer said.
