- February 5, 2026
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As the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee hosted its annual remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, the theme of resilience repeatedly emerged.
Keynote speaker Jack McDonnell of Lakewood Ranch, a former battalion chief with the FDNY, was among those who emphasized how the country came together in response to the horrific events of that day.
"The most astonishing moments, positive moments, that I recall from that time, was the coming together of people, the visible acts of kindness, caring, helpfulness and concern," he said. "It was everywhere. This horrific tragedy caused us to find our human commonality. It turned a city that was thought to be rude and disrespectful, into the real neighborly people that we were."
The ceremony brought together participants from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department, the Sarasota County Fire Department, and students from Booker Middle School and St. Stephens Episcopal School in Bradenton.
McDonnell also recounted his experience springing into action, from a golfing reunion of firefighters, in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center.
"The site before us was surreal. It was nothing that any of us had ever experienced, and there were many of us with many years on the job," he told attendees.
Among the toll, he said that according to a recent study by the Society of Environmental Epidemiology, 490,000 people were exposed to the deadly cancer causing toxins.
Karen Holbrook, regional chancellor at USF Sarasota-Manatee, helped close out the ceremony by also offering her recollection of the sense of community and patriotism following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
"We all displayed symbols of national allegiance and pride in the windows in our homes, our offices and our automobiles," she said. "We gathered on short notice for musical events of patriotic songs and other ceremonies to honor those lost, and to celebrate the heroic efforts of others, and reaffirm our cherished freedom."
