USF Sarasota-Manatee hosts 9/11 remembrance ceremony

By Ian Swaby
| 1:10 p.m. September 11, 2025

Staff Sergeant Matthew B. Miles of the United States Army, representing all military personnel, lays a wreath.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Edward Grayson recounted a scene of total devastation at the site of the World Trade Center after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

A sanitation worker at the time, the former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation was among the thousands of responders who performed recovery operations at Ground Zero.

"There was no safe haven. There was no place to shield your eyes, and you were already heartbroken having had to go there at all," he told attendees during the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Held the morning of Sept. 11 at the school's grand ballroom, the event also included other speakers, the laying of wreaths, and a choir performance by third graders from Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Bradenton.

Grayson and other speakers urged attendees to never forget the events of that day, and the lives lost.

Another speaker, Richard Sellwood, who grew up in upstate New York, recounted watching as the second plane hit the South Tower.

Sellwood, who is now Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of USF Credit Union, discussed how he studied the impact of 9/11 for his senior project the next year.

"My family had many friends who lived and worked near Ground Zero," he said. "Listening to their stories, documenting their experiences, was profound and life-changing. It taught me that history is not just about events. It's about people, real people, and the ripple effects of loss, resilience and hope."

"Always remember the resolve of our country," Grayson said. "That the terrorists didn't win. That we do not live under the cloak of fear, and that we all gather in memory to honor true patriots who gave their lives on that fateful day."

The event was preceded by a flag-raising ceremony outdoors, as well as by the planting of 2,997 American flags in the campus courtyard on Sept. 6.

Firefighter Jason Moore of Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, Officer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee and officer J.T. Shapiro of the Sarasota Police Department follow USF Alumnus Ross Allen on bagpipes as the flag raising begins.

Officer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee carries the flag.

Firefighter Jason Moore of Cedar Hammock and Officer Alex Stevenson of USF Sarasota-Manatee raise the flag.

USF Alumnus Ross Allen watches as the flag is raised.

Members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office perform the 21-gun salute.

U.S. Marine Corps, 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion Sgt. Steven Adames plays taps during the flag raising ceremony.

Tim Eaton and James Damoulakis of Braden River Brass perform during the ceremony.

Kristy Rispens and Julie Waters of Braden River Brass perform during the ceremony.

Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, addresses attendees.

Alexandra Bennettson of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School sings "The Star Spangled Banner."

Officer Aaron Homan of the Sarasota Police Department lays a wreath as Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee stands at the podium.

Shavon Clark Harris, representing emergency medical technicians and medical personnel, lays a wreath.

Richard Sellwood, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Offier of USF Credit Union, speaks at the event.

Edward Grayson, 9/11 responder and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation, speaks at the event.

Interim Regional Chancellor and Vice Provost Brett Kemker, speaks during the ceremony.

Officer J.T. Shapiro of the Sarasota Police Department and Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee stand by as Sergeant Major Enrique E. Alvarez of the United States Marine Corps reads "Old Glory."

Milana Marcello and Sienna Thames of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School perform with the other students.

Christian Heater and Ireland Patterson of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School perform with the other students.

Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, hands medals to Sabrina Davis, Natalie Andrade and Madeleine Dini of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.

Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success and Alumni Affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee gives a medal to Julian Coles of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.

Carlos Moreira, Director for Campus Engagement for Veteran Success at USF Sarasota-Manatee gives a medal to Julian Coles of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School.

2,997 flags were planted in the courtyard at USF Sarasota-Manatee on Sept. 6.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.