University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to host Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
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USF Sarasota-Manatee on Friday will honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and pay tribute to survivors, first responders and members of the military.
USF Sarasota-Manatee on Friday will honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and pay tribute to survivors, first responders and members of the military.

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will remember victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and pay tribute to survivors, first responders and members of the military during a campus ceremony on Friday morning.

The ceremony commemorating the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks is open to the public and will begin at 8:15 a.m. at the entrance to USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus. The event will be be hosted by the Office of Veteran Success.

Peter Abbott served as chief of the Sarasota Police Department from 2002-10 and also earned a master’s degree from USF.
Peter Abbott served as chief of the Sarasota Police Department from 2002-10 and also earned a master’s degree from USF.

“It’s important for our nation to remember those who died on 9/11 as well as the courageous efforts of our first responders and military,” said Carlos Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs and one of the ceremony’s organizers. “Our nation owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”

After an honor guard raises the flag at the campus entrance, visitors will be directed to the courtyard, where the featured speaker will be Peter Abbott. On Sept. 11, 2001, Abbott was executive officer in the Office of the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department.

Abbott, who later served as Sarasota’s police chief for eight years and received a master’s degree from USF, responded to the World Trade Center from his office at nearby police headquarters.

“As soon as I get there, boom, the second plane,” Abbott said.

Abbott said he will pay tribute to police officers, firefighters and other first responders. He said they were heroes "just trying to save people,” regardless of who they were or their backgrounds.

The ceremony will include remarks from USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook, patriotic performances by Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School children’s choir, a moment of silence, a 21-gun-salute, and a bugler playing "Taps."

Also in remembrance, volunteers have planted 2,977 American flags on the lawn in the courtyard to remember each life lost during the terrorist attacks.

Submitted by Danielle McCourt

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: USF Sarasota-Manatee campus will host Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony