by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Much like the rest of the country, Thursday was a time for members of the local community to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Almost 100 people, including State and City officials, joined members of the police and fire community to honor that day’s victims and heroes during the annual “Fallen Heroes Patriot Day Ceremony and Breakfast” at the Police and Fire Pension Fund building Thursday morning.
“It’s heartbreaking” said John Keane, Police and Fire Pension Fund administrator, “So many times, people seem to have forgotten the sacrifices of that day but we’re not going to forget.”
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink attended the breakfast ceremony, but not in her usual role – instead, it was as State Fire Marshal.
Sink spoke of celebrating the lives of the first responders to the scenes in New York and Washington, D.C., how the meaning of the numbers 9-1-1 have changed and the importance and her appreciation of another three digits.
“Twenty-four, seven,” she said. “That’s what people on the streets protecting us are doing.”
Both Mayor John Peyton and Sheriff John Rutherford attended the event and each spoke highly of the heroes of Sept. 11 as well as members of the Jacksonville community who have weathered adversity over the past year, including the response to the Berkman Plaza II garage collapse in December 2007.
“It (Sept. 11) changed the way local police enforcement is done,” said Rutherford. “I’ve been most proud of the way our local law enforcement and police and fire rescue has responded to everything.”
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