On Thursday, Sept. 11, they will climb, so that we never forget.
First responders, veterans and community members have signed up to trek to the top of The Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in honor of those who gave their lives trying to save others during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
This inaugural Rock The Climb event is one way that South Florida will pause on this 24th anniversary to reflect on the day in which almost 3,000 people were killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the crash of Flight 93 in an empty field in western Pennsylvania.
Officials and organizations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties have planned ceremonies, wreath layings, moments of silence and other events to honor the victims, fallen first responders and their families.
“Sept. 11 will forever remain a day of reflection and unity,” Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam said. “As we remember the lives lost on that tragic day, we also honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.”
At The Guitar Hotel, participants will walk up the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs, symbolizing the 2,200 steps that it took to reach the top of the World Trade Center twin towers. Climbing together is more than symbolic, it’s about “uplifting the families who carry their legacy,” said Bo Guidry, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood president.
“We are proud The Guitar Hotel has been chosen as the venue to have this momentous event honoring the heroes of 9/11 in partnership with the Firefighters Benevolent of Davie. Each step of this climb — and every moment of silence — continues to remind us why we stand in solidarity with the families and community forever affected by this tragic event.”
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Garrett Pingol plays taps as a rainbow shines over the Riverwalk 9/11 Monument on Sept. 11, 2020. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
In addition to events, there are also memorials standing tall throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, in city parks and government centers, that serve as daily reminders of Sept. 11. You’ll find twisted beams from the World Trade Center towers, plaques, sculptures and an eternal flame fountain at sites in Coral Springs, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach and Wellington.
Some permanent displays include:
Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk 9/11 Monument, which was installed five years ago and displays a PATH rail segment from the tracks from the World Trade Center wreckage.
The 9/11 Memorial at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which was dedicated nine years ago on the lower level of Terminal 1, with a fragment of the World Trade Center’s South Tower and a helmet of a New York Fire Department firefighter who took part in the recovery effort, among other items.
A piece of World Trade Center steel on display at Memorial Plaza at Fire Station 3 on Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens.
Nationally, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is asking everyone to collectively commemorate the day by taking part in its “Remember the Sky” social media campaign.
“On Sept. 11, 2001, the sky was clear blue in New York City and across the country,” according to a museum statement. Share a photo of the sky — regardless of the weather — this Sept. 11 by using #NeverForget and #RemembertheSky on any platform to participate. Visit 911memorial.org/remember-sky.
Below, find ways to participate in remembrance events in South Florida.
A piece of steel from New York’s World Trade Center is at the center of the North Lauderdale 9/11 Memorial, as seen during a previous ceremony. (Susan Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
BROWARD COUNTY
Coral Springs
The city’s September 11th Ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the 9/11 Memorial at the entrance of the Northwest Regional Library, 3151 N. University Drive. The memorial includes a plaque and a donated steel girder from the fallen World Trade Center. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and visit the memorial throughout the day. Visit coralsprings.gov.
Dania Beach
The fourth annual Patriot Day Ceremony will include city officials and representatives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Dania Beach Fire Rescue Station 1, 116 W. Dania Beach Blvd. Visit Facebook.com/cityofdaniabeach.
The Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Honor Guards begin a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum in 2024. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Fort Lauderdale
The community is invited to the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum, 1022 W. Las Olas Blvd., for the city’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday. The event will feature the presentation of colors, national anthem, a keynote address, ceremonial ringing of the bell, taps and a moment of silence. Visit fortlauderdale.gov.
The 9/11 Never Forget Event will be hosted by Thank You First Responder Organization from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Riverwalk 9/11 Memorial at the “Thrive” sculpture, Flow Fort Lauderdale, 221 SW First Ave. Speakers include U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds, State Rep. Chip LaMarca and Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Ben Sorensen. Free general admission. VIP tickets are $100 and include one VIP reserved seat at the memorial ceremony, one commemorative gift bag, two free drinks and entry to the VIP After Event at The Wharf Fort Lauderdale. Proceeds will benefit Thank You First Responder Organization and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Visit neverforgetevent.com.
Warrior Golf Academy, a South Florida nonprofit that helps veterans, first responders and others through golf, has planned a 9/11 Fundraiser FORE Heroes from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Strokes ‘N’ Drivers, 115 NW Sixth St. The event includes adaptive golf demos, an honor wall for remembrance, free clinics and simulator play for veterans. Donations requested for entry. Visit Facebook.com (search for “Warrior Golf Academy”).
Hollywood
Hollywood Fire Rescue will have a Laying of the Wreath 9/11 Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Fire Rescue Station 31, 3401 Hollywood Blvd. Visit hollywoodfl.org.
The inaugural Rock the Climb event will have first responders, veterans and community members taking part in a 9/11 memorial stair climb starting at 7 a.m. Thursday at The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, 1 Seminole Way. An after-party at DAER Nightclub/Dayclub will have food, drinks and music. All proceeds benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Firefighters Benevolent of Davie. Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the event (include stair climb, DAER party, finisher medal, commemorative T-shirt, food, beverage and a challenge coin). Visit victorysportsmgt.com.
Lauderhill
The Lauderhill Fire Rescue Department has planned a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony with a wreath laying and moment of silence starting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the memorial in front of Fire Rescue Station 57, 1980 NW 56th Ave. Visit Facebook.com/lauderhillfire.
Margate
The city’s Fire Department will lead a Patriot Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday at Firefighters Park, 2500 Rock Island Road. A presentation of taps also is planned. Visit margatefl.com.
Miramar
The city’s 9/11 & Veterans Memorial Remembrance Ceremony will take place against a backdrop of two beams from the World Trade Center at 8:15 a.m. Thursday at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway. There will be giveaways and light refreshments. Register at miramarremembers.eventbrite.com.
North Lauderdale
A wreath laying will be part of the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the 9/11 Memorial at City Hall, 701 SW 71st Ave. The memorial includes pieces from each of the sites that were attacked. Visit nlauderdale.org.
Steel sculptor Felix Gonzalez looks up at one of three steel sculptures he created in Pembroke Pines honoring those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. (Taimy Alvarez/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Pembroke Pines
The city’s 9/11 Ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the Police and Fire Department Honor Guards at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Charles F. Dodge City Center Memorial Park, 601 City Center Way. It will also include guest speakers, community leaders and patriotic music. Tour 9/11 memorial sculptures by Benoit Menasche and Felix Gonzalez and see steel girders from the World Trade Center in the park after the ceremony. Watch a live feed of the event at fb.me/cityofpembrokepines or @cityofppines on Instagram and X. Visit ppines.com.
Pompano Beach
A 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Founders Park, 215 NE Fourth St. Put on by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Pompano Beach Historical Society, the event also will feature guest speakers and a performance. Look for the 9/11 memorial by artist Cherie Saleeby that incorporates a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov.
Sunrise
The September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., will feature speakers, music, a memorial display and the presentation of colors. Visit sunrisefl.gov.
Boynton Beach Police Department Capt. Paul Deale speaks about his experiences on Sept. 11, 2001, during a previous ceremony at Veterans Park in Boynton Beach. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Boynton Beach
Join the city’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 8 a.m. Thursday with a processional from Boynton Beach Fire Station 1, 200 NE First Ave., to Centennial Park and Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave. Participants will include Boynton Beach Fire Rescue, Boynton Beach Police Department, and members of the Boynton Beach City Commission, Boynton Beach Veterans Task Force, Boynton Beach Community High School Junior ROTC and Boynton Beach Community High School Choir. A moment of silence will take place at 8:46 a.m. to remember the exact time Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Visit Facebook.com.
Lake Worth Beach
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue will have its 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday at Palm Beach State College’s Duncan Theatre, 4200 S. Congress Ave. Visit Facebook.com/PBCFireRescue.
Lantana
The town’s 9/11 Ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Fallen Officer Memorial in front of the Development Services Department, 504 Greynolds Circle. The public is also welcome to stop by throughout the day to pay their respects. Visit lantana.org.
Wellington’s 9/11 memorial includes a large beam from the World Trade Center and an eternal flame fountain. (Kari Barnett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Wellington
Gather around the Patriot Memorial next to Village Hall, 12198 Forest Hill Blvd., for the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday. The memorial includes one large steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, as well as an eternal flame fountain and etched glass panels inscribed with the victims’ names. The Village Council will lay a memorial wreath with representatives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the New York Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3100, in attendance. Visit wellingtonfl.gov.
West Palm Beach
The West Palm Beach Fire Department is having multiple events on Sunday, Sept. 14, to honor fallen 9/11 heroes and help support nonprofits such as Operation 300 and the Pediatric Oncology Support Team: a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, Workout Challenge, 5K Fun Run and Hero Challenge. Registration is still open for the Crossfit Squad’s Workout Challenge and a 5K Fun Run, both set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $50 each at the Northbridge Tower, 515 N. Flagler Drive. Visit wpb911stairclimb.com.
