PALM HARBOR, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at the Palm Harbor 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to honor the memories of those lost in the attacks on September 11th, 2001.
A transcript of Governor Ron DeSantis’ remarks is below:
“Thank you so much. Please be seated. Thank you. Thank you. Well, it’s great to be back. We’ve been able to do this for a number of years. Of course, I grew up a stone’s throw away, over in Dunedin, and I think that what you guys have done here at Curlew Hills has been very meaningful. And you get great community involvement, and I’m really heartened to see that’s continued after all these years. Last year, I was not at this one. Last year, I went to the memorial in Southern Manhattan at Ground Zero, and we had done that after having become friends with a lot of 9/11 families. We heard a lot of stories about not only that day but different types of challenges that have happened since then. And my wife and I were able to go to the different sites with the family members, and they would tell you about the loved ones that they lost that day.
It was always something that was very impactful for me, starting on the day way back in 2001. To meet so many people whose lives were turned upside down that day has been very touching. And I think it strengthens the resolve to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to never forget—to honor the people that not only lost their lives that day but those in the years since. That day and that attack represented the worst that humanity has to offer. But the response to that attack—whether it was the office workers in the World Trade Center who were scurrying their coworkers out of the building to safety—whether it was members of the FDNY, Port Authority, or NYPD who ran into the burning towers knowing the risks entailed to save others’ lives; and in the process many of them gave their own lives—whether it’s passengers on United Flight 93 who knew what was happening; who knew if they were to stop it would mean they were not going to survive that flight but yet realized if they let it continue hundreds or thousands more could be killed; yet they were not going to let that happen on their watch—what they all did across-the-board represented the best of what humanity and America have to offer. And we’ll never forget their sacrifices; many just regular people doing an honest day's work or happened to be on a plane stood up as heroes.
It’s also worth remembering 9/11 changed this country in ways few events have. In my own personal experience I would not have ended up joining the United States military had it not been for 9/11 nor likely deployed to Iraq had it not been for 9/11. Even though I didn’t personally know anybody who died in New York City or Shanksville Pennsylvania it inspired me saying ‘America’s going fight back.’ Many from my generation joined military post-9/11 deploying multiple times missing holidays shouldering immense burdens for our country.
On behalf of post-9/11 veterans as Governor thank you for your service during difficult times even when political decisions weren't appropriate duties asked were discharged with honor integrity.
Finally saying ‘never forget’ means ensuring events like today happen annually nationwide including Manhattan Pentagon Shanksville Pennsylvania remembering honoring celebrating those rising occasion ensuring under-30s born too young remember causes destruction heroic responses teaching Florida's new curriculum devised with families veterans ensuring future generations understand event's significance serving inspiration seeing responders sacrifice saving lives debuting today statewide appreciated by all especially being home chosen by many involved ensuring sacrifices remembered future generations truly never forget.”
###