9/11 Memorials Honor Victims, 20th Anniversary In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL ? Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. More than 3,000 people died on 9/11 and memorial services organized in Hillsborough County and nearby areas to honor the victims of these terrorist attacks.

Patriot Day Ceremony

• Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Consumer & Veterans Services, and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County invite the public to the ceremony at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa. The event includes guest speakers from MacDill Air Force Base, Honor Guard, giant American flag, a solemn escort and procession of a solid 135-pound section of a steel beam from the World Trade Center and a traditional rifle salute and taps.

Cuban Club Ybor City

• A panel discussion about the effects of 9/11 on Tampa Bay is scheduled Friday, Sept. 10, at the Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba, at 11:15 a.m. Retired Col. DJ Reyes who served Afghanistan tours, former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco and Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano and Michael McPherson will make up the panel.

Downtown Winter Haven

• The 12th Annual "Honoring Our Heroes" event will honor all law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS and military on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. A special tribute to honor the 13 military members killed in Afghanistan will also take place. It is sponsored by the Winter Haven Police Department and Winter Haven Fire Department. It is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 11 at South Central Park in downtown Winter Haven.

Lakeland Police Foundation Memorial Fallen Heroes Foundation

• This year's 5th Annual Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K will also honor and commemorate the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, along with the law enforcement officers who lost their lives this past year. Every participant will receive a finisher medal that includes the Pentagon shape, outline of the Twin Towers and icon for Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. Also shown is the traditional Honor Guard Officer and seven badges, one for each fallen Lakeland Police Officer. The event is Saturday, Sept. 11, 7 - 11 a.m., Three Parks Trail. For more information and to register for 5K, click here.