Miami Beach 9/11 Remembrance Marks 18th Anniversary

MIAMI, FL — Miami Beach firefighters will gather Wednesday along with city officials for a remembrance to honor the Americans, including many first responders who perished on 9/11.

"The event reminds citizens of the fierce sense of pride, incredible courage, rediscovered strength and outpourings of human kindness that transpired that day — and the many that followed," explained the city's Melissa Berthier.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. Miami Beach firefighters will line up outside of their stations at 8:46 a.m., the same time the first plane struck the north tower of the World Trade Center.

"Members of the Miami Beach Fire Department will line up in front of their fire stations and administration building to lower the flag to half-staff in tribute of those who perished," Berthier said.

Children from The Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami will present cards and a small gift to to the firefighters following the ceremony. The Jewish National Fund, in conjunction with the Israeli Consulate in Miami, will award Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez a plaque to commemorate 9/11 and the work of firefighters worldwide.

The ceremony will be held at Fire Station 2, which is located at 2300 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach.

American studies scholar Angus Gillespie of Rutgers University said New York's Twin Towers were more than office buildings.

"They are symbols of America, just as the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben represent their countries," he explained. "The builders intended the towers to make a statement about the importance of the Port of New York and New Jersey. The complex rose like Emerald City, with fountains and sculptures from what was once a dilapidated area of half-abandoned stores.”

Gillespie conducted a number of interviews prior to the attacks with bankers, shippers, freight forwarders, traders and other workers in the Twin Towers prior to the attacks.

“It was the people who worked there, however, who gave this complex life, purpose, and vibrancy," he added.

Miami City Hall is located at 3500 Pan American Drive.