by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“It’s hard to believe it was six years ago today,” said Mayor John Peyton as he remembered the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. at the annual memorial breakfast hosted by the trustees of the Police and Fire Pension Fund at the organization’s headquarters on Adams Street.
“Public safety is a core business of City government. All of us need to have competent, capable and willing men and women in public safety. We’re proud of the service we see,” he added.
Following the mayor’s remarks, FOP President Nelson Cuba and Roger Lewis, president of the local Fire Fighter’s union, led silent prayers for the 343 fire fighters, 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Pension Fund Executive Director John Keane then recalled his experience that day six years ago. He was in Washington about to get in a cab to the airport to return to Jacksonville when it was reported the first tower had been hit, he said.
“I was at the ticket counter at Washington National Airport when the plane crashed into the Pentagon. We heard the boom then there was chaos as the airport was evacuated. It was just like what you’d see in a movie.
“It was a day all of us directly involved will never forget,” said Keane.
He also said a recent survey indicated only 6 percent of Americans planned to pause yesterday in remembrance of the victims of terrorism and added, “It was a tragic day for our country, but we’re not going to let those people’s sacrifices go unrecognized here in Jacksonville. As long as I’m at this pension fund, we will have this memorial each year.”