Hillsborough County to Host Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance Event on Friday, Sept. 8

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 23, 2023) - Following the attacks that sparked the nation's longest war, Americans continue to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, by commemorating a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR), the County's Consumer & Veterans Services, and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County invite the community to observe the 22nd Anniversary Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance event at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Museum, 3602 U.S. Hwy. 301 N., Tampa, FL 33619.

In honor of Patriot Day, first-responders, military Veterans, and civic leaders aim to inspire a generation too young to recall the historic events of 9/11 as they pay tribute to the pledge of duty to service. Students, teachers, parents, neighbors, and Veterans are encouraged to attend the ceremony, which will include:

• A giant American flag hoisted by ladder trucks
• A traditional fire service ringing of the bell
• A solemn escort of the beam: a solid 135-pound section of steel salvaged from New York's Twin Towers that resides at Veterans Memorial Park, representing the supreme sacrifices made on 9/11

The keynote speaker will be Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Capt. Brian Muldowney, whose late brother served with the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and died in the line of duty at Ground Zero in 2001.

Participating fire department commanders include Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Chief Dennis Jones, City of Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Barbara Tripp, Temple Terrace Fire Rescue Chief Ian Kemp, and Plant City Fire Rescue Deputy Chief James Maxwell.

In the spirit of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, students can interact with service professionals following the ceremony. Military Veterans and first responders from across the county will be available to answer questions, take photos, and showcase firefighting apparatus, including Hillsborough County's new Fire Safety Simulator.

The 22nd Anniversary Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance event is free and open to the public at Veterans Memorial Park's outdoor amphitheater. Lawn chairs are welcome, and attendees are invited to enjoy the park's many memorials.

For more information about the 22nd Anniversary Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance event or Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, call Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services (813) 635-8316 or visit HCFLGov.net/Veterans.