NYC firefighter describes experience of 9/11 at Sarasota remembrance

Members of Sarasota’s community and beyond came together at Sarasota National Cemetery the morning of Sept. 11 to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in an event hosted by the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Although it was not the first year the ceremony was held, it was the first time it was hosted at the cemetery's Patriot Plaza amphitheater rather than the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus.

This was due to the construction of new dorms at the school, said Carlos Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs on the campus.

“Because of the significance of the event, we felt it was more appropriate to come here than to any other location,” he said of the cemetery, which is devoted to veterans.

The ceremony hosted speakers, including retired New York firefighter Matt Bruce, who was assigned to the New York City Fire Department on 9/11. 

It also featured members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Police Department, and musical performances by individuals including students of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton and "America’s Got Talent" semi-finalist Daniella Mass, who sang the national anthem.

Bruce recounted his experience being trapped beneath the collapsed World Trade Center for 13 hours, resulting in an injury to his leg.

He said there are still many first responders who are uncounted for financial assistance as they were not listed on the duty sheet that day.

“I can tell you that this year alone, 331 first responders have died since the first of the year with lung and heart diseases," he said.

Dava Guerin, a tour guide at Sarasota National Cemetery, praised the choice of the venue for an occasion she called a sad and special day for her. 

Her late husband, Terry Bivens, was scheduled to be interviewed by CNBC at the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, due to his role as senior packaged food analyst at Bear Stearns, but the interview was canceled, and when the attacks came he was able to evacuate the city.

After the former coastguardsman died four years ago, he was buried in the cemetery.

“It's extremely meaningful to me — this day and every day that I’m here,” she said, calling the cemetery “hallowed ground.”

She said the event was also teaching civics to younger children, referring to the student choir from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.

“These amazing little kids — look what they've learned already, and they're going to remember that their whole lives.”

The event was preceded on Sept. 9 by the planting of 2,977 American flags, one for each person who died on 9/11, in the Sarasota-Manatee campus courtyard.