On a day with a sky as blue as the morning 15 years ago, the day of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center terrorist attack in New York City, dozens gathered at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach to watch the American flag being raised and take part in the dedication of a new flag pole.
The ceremony was orchestrated by John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants, including the restaurant and bar at the pier. Horne said he couldn’t believe there was no flagpole at the pier and set about installing one.
He thought the 15th anniversary of the three terrorist attacks on the United States — in New York City, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania — was perfect for a dedication.
Often choking up as he spoke, Horne thanked first responders and veterans, and asked the audience for a moment of silence. He noted that he had furnished no chairs because he wanted everyone to stand in honor of the flag.
“I did not want one person sitting down here,” Horne stated.
Cadets from the Manatee High School ROTC program performed the official flag-raising, as dozens, including island officials and veterans, stood quietly. Some of the cadets were toddlers when the attack occurred that September day in 2001.
Bill Murphy was a captain with the Port Authority Police, and lost more than three dozen members of his squad in the attack. Murphy presented plaque given him after 9/11 to Horne, who said it would hang in a prominent place at the pier restaurant.
Murphy was accompanied by his wife, Carol Probstfeld, president of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. Her Never Forget! T-shirt bore the names of all port authority police lost Sept. 11, 2001. It also echoed the sentiment seen over and over through the years since — Never forget!
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santayana, philosopher.
— Sandy Ambrogi