9/11 Memorial Services: Curley Hills 10am

At Curlew Hills Memorial Gardens in Palm Harbor, they never forget. RadioStPete.com Sunshine 96.7 FM will carry the 9/11 memorial Wednesday, 9/11 starting at 10am. In addition to this annual memorial, you find more Tampa Bay 9/11 memorials from WFLA here and Tampa Bay Times here.

Also on September 11th 9am at WADA’s ArtsXchange Campus is a special free event co-produced by RISE St. Pete and WADA. The event will commemorate 9/11 and present the inaugural Phoenix Awards, recognizing individuals for exceptional community service. This year’s honorees include Zulgeil Ruiz Ginés, Colonel Jay Powers (Ret.), and Professor David Manson. Hosted by 10 Tampa Bay’s Courtney Robinson and featuring speakers Kevin Lockerbie, Celeste Davis, Colonel Jim “OB” O’Brien, and Mark Aeling, the event will also feature students from Admiral Farragut Academy, a flag-raising ceremony, and a performance of the National Anthem, followed by a light reception. RSVP here.

At noon, tune into RadioStPete.com as the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks is on our minds and in our hearts. PEACE TALKS RADIO checks in with members of the organization "9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows," founded by family members of those killed on September 11th. We'll hear from people who have united to turn their grief into action for peace. By developing and advocating nonviolent options and actions in the pursuit of justice, the organization says its aim is to break the cycles of violence engendered by war and terrorism. By acknowledging their common experience with all people affected by violence throughout the world, these survivors of tragedy work to create a safer and more peaceful world for everyone. Carol Boss hosts the discussion with Terry Kay Rockefeller, Bruce Wallace and Anne Mulderry, all members of "9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows." In addition to sharing their moving stories about that tragic day, our guests discuss their process of transforming their grief into action for peace, and describing some of their peace actions and projects

CURLEW HILLS MEMORIAL GARDEN Each year Curlew Hills Memorial Garden proudly holds a 9/11 Memorial Service on September 11th to honor the nearly 3000 lives that were lost on the attack on our country on September 11, 2001.?It includes a 9/11 guest speaker, live music, student art display, honor guards, helicopter fly-overs, local leaders and so much more. Guests are encouraged to bring sun protection, folding chairs and arrive early to avoid parking delays. Learn more.

The keynote speaker this year is Dan Nigro. He was featured Sunday 9/8 on CBS 60 Minutes. Nigro began as a Firefighter in 1969 at Engine Company 21 in Manhattan. He rose through the ranks of the FDNY, serving as a Lieutenant at Engine Company 35 in East Harlem, as a Captain at Engine Company 8 in Manhattan, and as a Battalion Chief in Battalion 19 in the Bronx. Beginning in 1988, while in the rank of Battalion Chief, Nigro served in several administrative positions at headquarters, including the Chief of Personnel and the Chief of the Bureau of Health Services, where he oversaw the medical care and treatment for FDNY members. Upon his promotion to deputy chief in 1993, he returned to the field and served in Division 3 in Manhattan. A year later, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Chief and was instrumental in merging the Emergency Medical Service of the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation into the FDNY. Following the merger, Nigro became the chief in charge of EMS. In 1997, he was promoted to Chief of Operations, overseeing all operations and training for more than 14,000 uniformed fire and EMS personnel. After the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Nigro was appointed Chief of Department, following the death of his close friend, Chief Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Commissioner Nigro was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site, and the beginning of the unprecedented rebuilding of the department following the death of 343 FDNY members. As Chief of Department, Commissioner Nigro held the highest uniformed rank, overseeing all major uniformed FDNY bureaus: Operations, Training, EMS, Communications, and Fire Prevention. Nigro retired from the department in 2002 and returned in 2014 as Fire Commissioner. Commissioner Nigro followed in the footsteps of his father, FDNY Captain Daniel Nigro, who served the department for 35 years.

• Memorial Lights?- We also shine 9/11 Memorial Lights each year on September 10 & 11 from 8-10 p.m. at our 9/11 Memorial. The giant twin beams will shine more than 1000 feet in the sky each evening in likeness to the two beams of light that shined in New York City following 9-11. This beacon of remembrance serves as an iconic symbol of 9/11 that both honors those lives lost and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of America. The lights will be on display rain or shine. Bring your family to drive by and see this beautiful display.

• Keynote Speaker?- Dan Nigro began as a Firefighter in 1969 at Engine Company 21 in Manhattan. He rose through the ranks of the FDNY, serving as a Lieutenant at Engine Company 35 in East Harlem, as a Captain at Engine Company 8 in Manhattan, and as a Battalion Chief in Battalion 19 in the Bronx. Beginning in 1988, while in the rank of Battalion Chief, Nigro served in several administrative positions at headquarters, including the Chief of Personnel and the Chief of the Bureau of Health Services, where he oversaw the medical care and treatment for FDNY members. Upon his promotion to deputy chief in 1993, he returned to the field and served in Division 3 in Manhattan. A year later, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Chief and was instrumental in merging the Emergency Medical Service of the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation into the FDNY. Following the merger, Nigro became the chief in charge of EMS. In 1997, he was promoted to Chief of Operations, overseeing all operations and training for more than 14,000 uniformed fire and EMS personnel. After the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Nigro was appointed Chief of Department, following the death of his close friend, Chief Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Commissioner Nigro was responsible for overseeing all rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site, and the beginning of the unprecedented rebuilding of the department following the death of 343 FDNY members. As Chief of Department, Commissioner Nigro held the highest uniformed rank, overseeing all major uniformed FDNY bureaus: Operations, Training, EMS, Communications, and Fire Prevention. Nigro retired from the department in 2002 and returned in 2014 as Fire Commissioner. Commissioner Nigro followed in the footsteps of his father, FDNY Captain Daniel Nigro, who served the department for 35 years.

• Ceremony Live Stream?- In an effort to bring this special event to people everyone, our 9-11 ceremony will be broadcast live on our Facebook page. People from around the world can watch the ceremony as it happens in real time on September 11 at 10 a.m.

• Master of Ceremony?- We are thrilled to once again have Mark Wilson, Anchor with FOX Channel 13 TV as the Master of Ceremony at our 9/11 Ceremony. Mark is a leader in our community and has great passion for veterans and 9/11.

• Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, Retired USAF?- Sonya Bryson-Kirksey is a Tampa resident, by way of the military. She ended two decades of service to the United States Air Force in September 2015. The well-known National Anthem singer with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sonya has performed the National Anthem over 1,000 times.

• A 9-11 Student Art Display?- Students in 4th and 5th grade in nearby elementary schools are invited to create artwork based on the theme "Remember & Honor 9/11". Curlew donates $500 to the art department of each participating school. All this original student artwork is displayed on large boards for everyone to view at the 9/11 Memorial event. Be sure to check out the students' beautiful artwork on display at our 9/11 ceremony.

• Essay Contest Information?- Each year we hold an essay writing contest for local area 6th - 8th grade students. The essay contest serves as inspiration for students to strengthen their appreciation of the historical importance of the events of September 11th, 2001. Students are invited to write an essay with a predetermined 9/11 theme. First place winner will receive $500 and may be invited to read his/her essay at the 9/11 Memorial Event held at Curlew Hills.