Feature Story & Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Video by SOUTH LAKE TABLET
Clermont Fire and Police Departments hosted the 20th anniversary of 9-11-2001 with a memorial service to honor the victims and heroes of that tragic day.
The ceremonial program featured opening comments by Clermont Fire Chief, David Ezell. An invocation was shared by Mike Saxe, the Clermont Police Chaplain who is a retired New York City Police Officer and a 9-11 first responder. Our American colors were shared by the Clermont Fire, Police and Sea Cadet Honor Guards with musical accompaniment by the City of Mount Dora Pipes & Drum Corps. The National Anthem was performed by country music entertainer, Patrick Gibson. A ceremonial fire department bell was rung “To honor those who selflessly gave their lives for the good of their fellow man with their tasks completed, their duties well done, to our comrades, their last alarms and that they are going home.”
During his comments, Sean Parks, Lake County Board of County Commissioners Chairperson, asked for prayers for American unification and to embrace an act of kindness to help support the country. Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway shared his own heartwarming story and personal 9-11 experiences. He noted, “The 9-11 first responders were the true heroes that day! September 11 keeps us mindful of all the things our first responders do for us each day.” He added, “We can all remember where we were when the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Center.”
After a stirring 9/11 video presentation, Billy Picket, a Queens, New York Firefighter provided his emotional recollection of the tragic day. He shared his memories of the fires, smoke, flying papers, debris and the 16 acres of carnage. He noted, “It was like a 2.3 Richter Scale earthquake. Everything was pulverized. I am here today to honor all of the victims and the heroes that we lost that day.”
The Keynote speaker was retired FDNY Supervising Fire Marshall Pete Capece who shared his heartbreaking story from that day to honor the 343 firefighters who perished that day. Capece pointed out “We must never forget 9/11!” Capece described the special memorial that he donated to Clermont. The top of this memorial statue is an actual piece of the steel wreckage from the World Trade Center. The base honors the memory of the many firefighters who sacrificed their lives while protecting others that day. It can be seen at the front of the Fire Department on Hwy 50.
Clermont Mayor Tim Murry shared his personal sympathy to everyone lost on 9/11. He quoted President Harry Truman, noting: “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
Concluding commentaries were shared by Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway, who was a first-responder on Sept. 11 at Ground Zero. He noted, “we lost many people that day and we sadly continue to lose more with the dangerous cancerous effects from that day”.
The ceremony were concluded outdoors with a Rifle Salute by the Marine Corps League, led by Sergeant, I.W. Hatcher. Taps was performed by Allen Venezio.
A special thanks was given to Sonny’s BBQ, for hosting the luncheon for all first responders.
