DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - A school in Davie held a large service to remember the fallen heroes and victims of Sept. 11, one day before the 20th anniversary.
Western High School has held the annual service ever since the tragic event, as organizers said their mission is to never forget.
“Sept. 11, 2001, lives were changed, victims were mourned and heroes were created,” said Western High School Principal Jimmy Arrojo.
It’s a somber ceremony remembering the countless number of lives lost.
“Tower One was struck at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11, 92 people lost,” said Arrojo, refering to the lives on the plane. “Tower Two was struck at 9:02 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175, 65 people were lost.”
Now, 20 years later, Western High School held true to its annual tradition near a replica of the Twin Towers built by students following the attacks.
“This memorial features representations of the Twin Towers that is placed inside an outer wall shaped like the Pentagon and the flagpole actually rests in a relief, an outline of the state of Pennsylvania in the center, representing the three areas that day,” said Arrojo.
Other ceremonies also took place across South Florida.
Victims and heroes were honored at an event at Miami Dade College in Northwest Miami-Dade.
At St. Kevin Catholic School in Southwest Miami-Dade, a service was put on by eighth graders, students who weren’t even born when 9/11 occurred but still wanted to do their part and honor those from the tragic day.
“I think it’s really important that we celebrate it, the fact that it happened, and we remember those people that sacrificed their lives for us,” said student Daniel Forero.
Islamic faith leaders also held ceremonies and prayed in honor of the victims ahead of the anniversary.
“One element that has lasting impact is that it served for us to realize that we need to get out,” Islamic Foundation of South Florida spokesperson Sheryar Wahid said. “We need to be more aware. We need to be more involved in the greater community.”
More ceremonies will be held across South Florida on Friday and Saturday. For a list of events, click here.
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