VFW remembers the fallen, heroes of Sept. 11
It was a day to not only remember those who died, but also to warn that in today’s climate, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant of the threat of terrorism.
That was the point made Thursday as members of Harney Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8463, as well as city dignitaries and members of the New York City Police Department who were there on that tragic day of Sept. 11, 2001, gathered for a remembrance ceremony.
Those who spoke talked about the heroes who were lost, who survived and those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, whether they are soldiers or first responders.
“We’re trying to remember the heroes and the lost souls that participated in the tragedy. We want to keep it in the minds of everybody that the tragedy could strike again and that we must remain vigilant and remain strong,” said Tony Mihalovich, post commander of the local VFW, which hosted the event.
There were more than a few tears shed as those who spoke told stories of that day, whether their own recollections or of those who perished that day.
Former Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan recounted the heroes who lost their lives when the World Trade Center towers collapsed as well as those on Flight 93, who foiled the hijacking before the plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
“This should never be just another day. We continue to grieve for the victims and their loved ones,” Sullivan said. “We will always pay tribute to the heroes who emerged from the tragedies of those attacks.”
Police Chief Bart Connelly remembered visiting Ground Zero several years ago and hearing the stories of what the police and firefighters did that day.
“I could not believe the stories of heroism and bravery. It validated what I had known for years, it’s that our police officers, firefighters, military frontline and EMS workers, are our first line and the true heroes of today,” Connelly said.
Fire Chief Don Cochran watched what was happening on television that day and sensed the magnitude of the tragedy.
“I said a lot of firefighters would die. You knew that building was going to collapse, but the police officers and firefighters kept showing up, trying to serve,” Cochran said. “That day I knew what it was all about.”
The event also featured singing from Ali Isaacs and Janet Ingratta, a 21-gun salute from the honor guard and rifle team, a wreath presentation and a final alarm to those firefighters who died that day.
Also on hand were several members of the New York City Police Department, now retired, who remembered that day vividly.
“I was heading to the firing range and drove by the Twin Towers on my way to Brooklyn an hour before the attack,” said Luis Serrano, former member of the NYPD. “By 9 a.m. all hell broke loose. We went to Ground Zero and spent two days there. We worked for the medical examiner to try to identify the victims.”
Mihalovich said in closing that with the new threat of ISIS on the terrorism front, it is more important than ever to remember that day and to defeat terrorism wherever it may be.
“History has proven to repeat itself. We must stay vigilant,” Mihalovich said. “We can defeat this. We must defeat this.”