Remembering 9/11 Amid Coronavirus In Sarasota County

SARASOTA, FL — Nearly every American remembers where they were during the 9/11 terror attacks that forever changed our way of life on Sept. 11, 2001.

The nation has come together at ceremonies in the Sarasota area and other U.S. communities to commemorate the loss of life and the resilience of the American people following the unprecedented attacks by al-Qaida using three hijacked commercial jetliners laden with fuel.

This year's remembrance ceremonies are likely to look different on the 19th anniversary of the attacks not only in the Sarasota area, but around the United States as we face another unprecedented challenge, this time from a viral enemy that we cannot see or hear.

Some 6.37 million Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting community leaders to put in place extra precautions and enhanced safety measures. While some communities are moving events online, others are canceling events entirely out of an abundance of caution.

Sarasota is one of many counties that are not planning public 9/11 ceremonies amid the pandemic.

"Sarasota County Fire Department will hold a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11," according to a county spokesperson. "The event is limited to staff and a presenter, but will be livestreamed to the Sarasota County Emergency Services Facebook page so the community can safely view the ceremony virtually."

Sarasota city officials said they were not planning any city-specific events this year.

Services held at 9/11 attack sites in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania will also look different this year because of the pandemic. Organizers have faced a series of hurdles.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to send state health personnel to New York City to provide supervision during the annual "Tribute in Light" ceremony, a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Cuomo said staff will be on hand to “ensure this year's tribute is held safely.” Cuomo's announcement came just days after 9/11 Memorial & Museum officials had nixed the 2020 tribute due to coronavirus concerns.

Now, the focus of the New York City commemoration will be reading the names of victims. Family members will not read the names in person this year; instead, recorded readings from the museum’s In Memoriam exhibition will be used for the ceremony.

In Arlington County, Virginia, located just outside Washington, D.C., the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial remains closed to visitors because of coronavirus restrictions. Arlington County typically holds an annual remembrance ceremony, which this year will be held virtually.

In Pennsylvania, the National Park Service will hold an abbreviated ceremony at Shanksville. The 20-minute “Moment of Remembrance” is set to begin at 9:45 a.m., without a keynote speaker or musical guests.

The names of each passenger and crew member from Flight 93 will be read aloud with the ringing of the “Bells of Remembrance,” according to the agency’s website.

Both President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plan to visit Shanksville on Friday. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, will attend Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies in New York this year.