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September 11, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the horrific attacks on our country. On that day 2,983 men, women and children were senselessly killed in the attacks and many that survived still live with the physical and emotional scars of that horrific day. This was not only the worst terrorist attack ever on US soil, it was the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history.
All that are old enough, remember what they were doing on 9/11/01. I was standing before a classroom of first graders at Royal Green Elementary when the first airplane hit the Twin Towers at 8:46 am. Morning announcements had just concluded and I was just beginning our regular morning routine of coming together as a class to talk about what activities our day would hold. Within moments it became apparent that something of great significance had occurred as over the next hour student after student was called to the office to be picked up by their families until almost none remained. I would not learn until later that morning that we had happened. It was a frightening and unsettling day.
We will never forget the atrocity that was committed on September 11th, 2001, but we also won’t forget the heroism that was born from tragedy that day. We will remember the incredible bravery of our firefighters and police officers, and the tireless dedication of our doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians. We will remember the teachers and school support staff that cared for our communities children. We will remember the kindness and generosity of coworkers, neighbors, and even complete strangers who came to each other’s aid without hesitation.
Today our flags will fly at half-mast as we reflect on lives lost senselessly in the 9/11 tragedy. I hope that we will also reflect on the coming together of communities-- classroom by classroom, street by street, city by city--across our nation. It is those individual threads that create the fabric of our great Nation and our Village. May God continue bless our Nation and the Village of Palmetto Bay.
Yours in Service,
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