SARASOTA, Fla. (Sept. 04, 2019) – The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will remember victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and pay tribute to survivors, first responders and members of the military with a special ceremony in the campus courtyard on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
The remembrance is free, open to the public and will include 2,977 small flags, one for each victim, planted into the lawn of the campus courtyard behind the Campus Center, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
“It’s important for our nation to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, as well as the courageous efforts of our first responders and military,” said Carlos Moreira, USFSM’s veteran services administrator and one of the ceremony’s organizers. “Our nation owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
The Sept. 11 ceremony will start at 8:20 a.m. The Marine Corps color guard from the 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion in Tampa will raise the flag at the campus’ entrance.
After that, attendees will be directed to the courtyard where Moreira will offer welcoming remarks and introduce featured speaker Dan Hoffe, USFSM ’05, executive vice president of Capstan Financial Consulting Group in Sarasota.
An alumnus and supporter of USFSM, Hoffe was inside the South Tower of the World Trade Center when a passenger jet struck the building.
Hoffe will be followed by USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook. Also attending, a children’s choir from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton will sing the National Anthem and other patriotic songs and a bugler will play “Taps.”
USFSM is asking staff, faculty and students, along with local veterans’ groups and community members, to assist with planting the flags on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 10. To volunteer, call 941-359-4291 or email.