Attendees for the Standing With Our Fallen 9/11 Fifteen Year Commemoration vow to never forget victims.
By
Amanda Morales
| 9:34 p.m. September 11, 2016
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Sunday evening Sarasota City Mayor Willie Shaw addressed guests in a community prayer during the Standing With Our Fallen 9/11 Fifteen Year Commemoration.
Sarasota City Mayor Willie Shaw leads the crowd in a community prayer.
In response the crowd echoed “We remember them” throughout the prayer.
Sarasota residents stood to show of solidarity with survivors, first responders and families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks Sunday evening at Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Shaw was among the distinguished guests and elected officials part of the ceremony hosted by the Sarasota Ministerial Association.
For the ceremony attendees were asked to “adopt a fallen” from a list of victims of the attacks. The goal was to have each of the 2,977 names represented at the event and make sure they were not forgotten.
Before the start of the ceremony attendees placed a photo of their adopted fallen in a gallery at the edge of the stage. Some adopted complete strangers while others sought out the names of loved ones.
Among them was Diane Combs, who adopted her nephew the late Brad Fetchet. Combs and her husband Tom placed a white carnation into the shape of the American flag before securing Fetchet’s photo to the surrounding board.
Diane Combs pins a photo of her nephew Brad Fetchet to the board.
“I chose this picture of him because it’s my favorite with his beaming grin,” Diane Combs said.
On the morning of Sept. 11 Fetchet was working as a bond trader on the 89th floor of the South Tower. He was 24-years-old.
“It means a lot for the whole family to feel the presence of everyone here today,” Diana Combs said.
Diane Combs places a white carnation into an arrangement that formed the American flag to honor victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Diane Combs pins a photo of her nephew Brad Fetchet to the board.
Diane Combs pins a photo of her nephew Brad Fetchet to the board.
Kim Corbett sticks a final flower into the arrangement.
Guests add flowers and photos to represent their "adopted fallen."
Guests added flowers and photos to represent their adopted fallen in the ceremony.
Members of the community chorus perform "My Country 'tis of Thee."
Erika Miller during the performance of the national anthem.
Fred Fischer flew a commemorative flag in honor of his friend and 9/11 victim Gerald Olcott.
Sarasota City Mayor Willie Shaw leads the crowd in a community prayer.
Danny Bilyeu closes the ceremony with the performance of TAPS.
Sarasota Police Department Deputy Chief Patrick Robinson presents a wreath with Sheriff Tom Knight for the families of 9/11 victims.
Johnny Schroeder gave his survivor's testimony as one of the first responders to the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
Johnny Schroeder gave his survivor's testimony as one of the first responders to the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
Attendees stand for the national anthem.
A flag is presented to honor the victims of the attacks during the Standing With Our Fallen 9/11 Fifteen Year Commemoration.
Sarasota City Mayor Willie Shaw with Hassan Hares of the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton.
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight leads the pledge of allegiance.
Sarasota Fire Department Chief Michael Regnier during the tolling of the bell in honor of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Sarasota City Mayor Willie Shaw and Sarasota County Commissioner Al Maio
Guests filled the pews of Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery to honor the victims of 9/11 Saturday evening.
Rep. Vern Buchanan hands out commemorative coins to veterans and first responders.
