Coral Springs holds ceremony to honor 9/11 victims and survivors

Coral Springs holds 9/11 ceremony

From David Volz

The City of Coral Springs honored the victims and survivors of the 9/11 attacks during a special ceremony in front of the Northwest Regional Library. Members of the Coral Springs Commission participated in a survivor of the attack spoke. Musical and spoken tributes were given.

Vice Mayor Joshua Simmons spoke and described his memories of the day when he was an eighth grade student in the St. Louis area. He remember how his mother, a member of the U.S. Navy told him she was not sure when she would come home. “I am humbled to be here. I was age 13 when the attacks happened. Those who were alive then will never forget where we were when the attacks happened. We all came together then. We are stronger when we stand together.

Congressman Ted Deutsch spoke. He said it was important to honor and embrace first responders. He said it was important to honor the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks.

There were presentations from people who remember the attacks and family members of victims. Mike Higgins, a Coral Springs resident and brother in law of New York Police officer Ruben Torres described the efforts Torres made during the period of the attacks and how he bravely fought cancer.

Serge Benjamin, who was in the World Trade Center when it was hit described what it was like to escape the buildings and how the fire fighters and police officers helped him and other escape. He said people should respect and honor police officers and fire fighters.

Irving Rodriguez, a Coral Springs resident and retired New York Police officer who participated in the rescue efforts described his experiences at ground zero.

There was a wreath laying, the playing of taps and the singing of God Bless America. The Coral Springs Fire Department Pipes and Drums played Balmoral. The Coral Springs Charter School Band performed.